Thread: Dust extraction -is all dust bad for you?

Leon,

I don't know a huge amount on this topic but I know that Neil Ellis - Ubeaut Polishes has compiled a list of timbers that may cause health problems.

Here is the link - http://www.ubeaut.com.au/badwood.htm

The answer is yes lungs are desiged to breathe only air it is that simple

I picked up a Triton powered Respirator for $190 so that should help in the meantime...

treat all timber that you work,as toxic!always work in a well ventilated environment, wear safety mask and install appropriate dust extraction system.if you want some info on what timbers are toxic i suggest you read 'AUSTRALIAN TREES AND WOODY SHRUBS' by international wood collectors society,ph[07]38441246 to get a copy.

I can tell you for sure that West Indian Rosewood is bad, bad, bad to breathe the dust of. I recently posted a pic of a hollowform I turned from it. The next day, the man that gave it to me told me he'd received an email that the dust is hazardous to your health.
I spent the last two months with a bad sinus infection, and chest congestion from it. Should have used my safety measures, but it was cold, and my safety measures are an air cleaner, and two exhaust fans, and a floor fan near my lathe.
Finally getting where I don't cough as much...

All wood dust is carcinogenic. Some species of timber are just worse (have more immediate effects) than others.

Bolivian rosewood sent me to the doctor twice. Rash inside both arms, bad sinus infection, and an upper respiratory infection. That little episode made me trade my paper dust mask for a much better mask, Spoggles replaced my safety goggles, and a JDS air filtration system was purchased and installed. The JDS is the first thing I turn on when I walk into my shop. Cocobolo is very toxic. Kingwood isn't much better. All members of the rosewood family will mess you up good.

I learned the hard way. Streroids and antibiotics fixed me up, but I urge you to take precautions now. Your health is too important.

Some wood dusts are particularly hazardous
but breathing any sort of dust is bad for you,
even mineral dust or the dust from handling grain like wheat etc.

Yep.

In 1996 the US Society of Industrial Hygienists declared wood dust to be in the same risk category as asbestos.

All dust is bad for you, and the finer the dust the badder it is!

Originally Posted by China

The answer is yes lungs are desiged to breathe only air it is that simple

Any dust, from anything is hazardous to your health in enough quantity, China is spot on!

When you think about it many plants are poisonous. Many trees carry all sorts of toxins which you will breathe when it is all dusty. I myself am not that careful when it comes to dust as I find it so uncomfortable to be wearing dust masks and when you have a dust mask on it tends to fog my safety glasses up which is really annoying. Ill have to look at some respirators and see wether I can find a comortable one. Comfort is a big thing with me as the less comfortable you are the more frustrated you are and the more frustrated you are the more likely you are going to have an accident or stuff up.

Don't neglect your skin either. As you age, your skin becomes less elastic. Drying from sawdust, with a little swelling from muscle exertion, is a bad combination. I currently have a split on my thumb, about 1.5mm wide, and it doesn't feel good; also makes writing awkward. Hand lotion isn't just for sissies. I once worked with an ornamental plasterer, about 65 or 70 yrs old IIRC. After each day, up to his wrists in dry plaster, he applied Vaseline. Not Vaseline Intensive Care lotion, the real petroleum jelly. Seemed to work for him.

Joe