1.
dust; fine particles; particulate matter; airborne dust
Very small solid particles suspended in the air, often a health or safety concern in workplaces and environments.
Written as 粉塵 in full kanji or 粉じん in mixed script (the latter is more common in general media, as 塵 is not a 常用漢字). Refers specifically to airborne particulate matter, not everyday household dust.
Common collocations
- 粉じん濃度 — dust concentration
- 粉じん爆発 — dust explosion
- 粉じん対策 — dust countermeasures
- 粉じんを吸い込む — to inhale dust particles
Similar words
- ほこり — dust (everyday household dust)
- 微粒子 — fine particles (more scientific/technical)
- PM2.5 — fine particulate matter (specific size classification)
- 砂ぼこり — sand dust (blown by wind)
Usage
A technical term commonly encountered in workplace safety regulations, environmental reports, and weather advisories (especially regarding 黄砂 — yellow sand from China). Industrial 粉じん exposure is regulated under Japanese occupational health laws.