Skip to Main Content

Dust explosion incidents increased last year, no fatalities

The annual summary recording nationwide grain dust bin explosions reported nine incidents in 2022. This compares to seven reported incidents in 2021 and a 10-year average of 7.8 explosions.  

Kingsly Ambrose, Purdue University professor of agricultural and biological engineering and report author, said that despite the increase in explosions from the previous year and 18 total injuries this year, no fatalities were reported. 

The explosions occurred in one ethanol plant, two feed mills, two grain elevators, two rice mills and two grain processing plants. The probable ignition sources were identified in three cases as a fire and one incidence as welding, while five cases were from unknown sources. Fuel sources for all nine of the explosions were identified as grain dust.  

The dust explosions occurred in seven different states, with two each occurring in Arkansas and Louisiana, and one each in New Mexico, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Ohio.  

Ambrose explained, “Often, five of the conditions needed for a grain dust explosion to occur are present in most grain feed, milling and processing facilities. These conditions include dust, dispersed dust, confined space and oxygen. The presence of the fifth factor, an ignition source such as overheated bearing or mechanical friction, could lead to an explosion.”  

He further emphasized the importance of developing and implementing a detailed housekeeping program to mitigate the hazards, and utilizing government and industry resources that are publicly available to provide guidance on developing the program. 

Featured Stories

Plants growing with graphic overlay explaining the science
Consumers mostly support AI tools to improve food and agriculture

Consumers generally support using artificial intelligence to improve food and agricultural...

Read More
Yellow and brown mosquito pupae, resembling tiny wormlike creatures, floating in clear water puddles on a desk for examination.
Expert tips for minimizing threat of West Nile virus, other vector-borne disease

As mosquitoes and people across the country test positive for West Nile virus (WNV), Purdue...

Read More
Zheng Zhang, postdoctoral researcher
New method probes cancer cell messengers that weaken immune system

Certain types of biochemical processes can impair the immune system’s ability to recognize...

Read More
Customers in a store at a cash register
Public understanding of food insecurity widely varies

The public’s familiarity with the term “food insecurity” and the Supplemental...

Read More
Jingjing Liang
New research determines soil-dwelling fungi affect global tree species

A team co-led by a Purdue University researcher has found that groups of fungi influence global...

Read More
The Purdue Bell Tower behind some green tree branches
2025 Hovde Award nominees sought

Purdue University is accepting nominations for the 2025 Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence,...

Read More
To Top