These droplets are called mists. Mists are formed by gases that condense into small liquid droplets in the air. Alternatively, mists may form by breaking up, splashing or atomizing a liquid. Examples include acid mists from electroplating, oil mists from cutting and grinding, or paint spray mists from painting operations. Dusts, fumes and smoke Other workplace processes can generate tiny solid particles which are light enough to float in the air, and these are referred to as dusts, fumes and smoke.
Dusts are solid particles often generated by some mechanical or abrasive activity.
They are usually heavy enough to settle slowly to the ground. Fumes are very tiny solid particles which can remain airborne that are formed when a heated metal has evaporated in the air and then condensed back to a solid form. This occurs in welding operations. Smoke is carbon or soot from burning. Smoke particles can settle or remain airborne depending on their size.