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

purdue pete group shot
Boilermaker Vegetable Season Pass returns for 2023 season

“As a family, we look forward to weekly pickups at the student farm -- everyone gets...

Read More
krystal hans
"Societal Impact Fellows and Scholarship of Engagement Fellows Programs" feat. Krystal Hans

The Office of Engagement offers multiple ways for Purdue faculty and staff to use their work to...

Read More
Dog on campus at Purdue University
Lack of canine COVID-19 data fuels persisting concerns over dog-human interactions

Early COVID-19 pandemic suspicions about the resistance of dogs to the disease have given way to...

Read More
2022 AFS Meritorious Service Award honoree Tom Lang, Dr. Eva Haviarova - a Society of Wood Science and Technology woman ambassador, and sophomore wildlife major Gabby Dennis with a glaucous-winged gull chick.
FNR Year in Review 2022: The People

The 2022 calendar year saw several FNR faculty, staff, students and alumni represent the...

Read More
Dr. Laura Bowling in the field with students
Charles B. Murphy Award presented to Dr. Laura Bowling

Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award presented to Dr. Laura Bowling, the...

Read More
Eastern white pine trees
Intro to Trees of Indiana: Eastern White Pine

Meet the eastern white pine or Pinus strobus, the only five-needled pine native to Indiana. Each...

Read More
To Top