Abstract: A dust control apparatus in the form of a hood is disclosed for minimizing or eliminating the evolution of dust when loading dust laden solid discrete particles from a large container to a series of small containers. The apparatus is designed specifically for unloading spent catalysts from catalytic vessels into a series of drums without evolution of voluminous clouds of dust. The apparatus and method are designed to be portable so that expensive and sophisticated installations are not required in instances where the vessels are infrequently unloaded. The dust control hood makes use of the angle of repose of the solid discrete particles to be transferred in such manner that the drums do not overfill. Simultaneously air is drawn across the hood and the dust is collected in a suitable filter at a distance away from the loading area. Provision is also made for separation and collection of dust from pyrophoric materials utilizing an inert gas rather than air as the carrier medium.