Some 70% of powders handled in industry are combustible and, if dispersed into a cloud and ignited, can cause a dust explosion. Methods for control of dust explosions exist but important problems remain unresolved. A consensus view from European industry and research associations on the 23 topics requiring further study is presented. Reacting to this review, the E.U. Environment Programme has supported research on measurement dust cloud characteristics in plant, characterisation of smouldering in powders, burning characteristics of dust clouds, measurement of blast effects and fireball sizes from vented explosions and modelling these effects. The results from the research are summarised.