Carbon Black

Carbon black is a powder form of carbon that is similar to the graphite found in pencils. Carbon black is made to used to insulate electrical equipment, strengthen and color tire rubber, and dye inks and leather.

Carbon black can also form when fossil fuels are not completely burned. These carbon black particles are often coated with other chemicals that are also found in fossil fuels making them more harmful than pure carbon black.

How can I be exposed to carbon black?

The main way people are exposed to carbon black is from air.

People who work in places where carbon black is made or used or places where fossil fuels are burned can be exposed to carbon black.

People who live near places where fossil fuels are burned may also be exposed to low levels of carbon black.

How can carbon black affect my health?

Breathing in high levels of carbon black in a short period of time can irritate the lungs and cause coughing. Exposure to carbon black can also cause eye, nose, and throat irritation.

Long-term exposure to carbon black can cause the particles to get stuck deep in the lungs. If the particles stay in the lungs, it can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies also suggest that long-term exposure to carbon black may increase the risk of lung cancer.

What can I do to protect myself from carbon black?

If you work with in a place where carbon black is used or fossil fuels are burned:

• Read and follow instructions provided by your employer.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment (such as gloves, masks, coveralls, and respirators).
• Shower or change clothes before leaving work to avoid bringing chemicals home with you. If this is not possible, change as soon as you get home and wash your work clothes separately from the rest of you and your family’s laundry.

If you live near a place where fossil fuels are burned, contact the DNR if you notice a significant change in your air quality or notice black, sticky dust on your vehicles or outside belongings.

Who regulates carbon black in Wisconsin?

While there are no standards that apply to directly to carbon black, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates does regulate how much particle pollution is allowed in air.

Related topics

Our Environmental Public Health Tracking Program's COPD page has background information on COPD and data on cases of COPD in Wisconsin.

The DNR's particle pollution page has more information on how air quality is regulated in Wisconsin.