Thread: Lungs

Seems to me it's all about risk management. As I'm at considerable risk, (a No 4) according to my own risk scale here, I take the matter quite seriously.

So, I'm into the best I can manage with various positive pressure full helmet HEPA filters (details here and more here), and a high efficiency cyclone.

Attached is an Sydney Uni study which has some relevance to the topic, just in case anyone doubts the dangers. The purpose of the research was “To investigate occupational exposure to wood dust and biohazards associated with wood dust, their correlation to respiratory function, and symptoms among woodworkers.”

If you are currently in good respiratory health, have a family history of good lung function, and won't be getting much exposure to wood dust of the wrong types in the future, then you just might be able to ignore the risk. But, then....

Stay healthy.

.....

At work we use P2 dust masks for particulates. The brands are MSA and Drager.
They have a plastic exhalation valve at the front which makes breathing a lot easier, they fit to all our head shapes well and are comfortable for long time wearing.
As none of us have beards I cant say how they'd go in that situation.
I use them at home when belt sanding and sanding on the lathe.
They do not provide fume protection.
As you would expect, being a government department we pay a fortune for them but I have seen them on ebay very cheap, in boxes of 10. Usually come from fibreglass/surfboard manufacturing suppliers.
I can recommend them as I wear them heaps, especially when dealing with asbestos and sweeping up the very fine absorbent/adsorbent powder we put on hydrocarbon spills on hard surfaces (sphagsorb,kittylitter,finely milled sawdust,sodium bicarbonate(for neutralising acid spills)and when cleaning up "white powder" incidents).
Dont know that I would want to wear a respirator long term, especially with the loss of peripheral vision, although the full head mask does give eye protection. cheers, billy

That study is a good find. Thanks Neil.

With a bit of effort, readers will derive some benefit just from reading the summary.

And I would say we should be sceptical of the value of 'current standards'.

An extract from the summary:

A majority of workers (~90%) did not wear appropriate respirators approved for wood dust, while
the workers who did wear them, used them on average less than 50% of the time. Workers should
be protected by controlling dust at its source.

Given that I am a 4.5 on your scale, Neil, it is imperative that I take the matter more seriously than I have until now, hence the OP.

The essential bit of information is that sub-micron particles, which are not screened out by the kind of full face respirators we use, are not dangerous. I have not gone through the 328 pages of the thesis you linked, does it confirm or deny this?

Assuming that it is correct and both these and half-face respirators are equally effective for clean shaven people, the issue, as Ern highlighted, is one of compliance.

Eyes, ears and head protection reduce ease of use but are additional features that need to be taken into consideration.

If sub-micron particles were indeed dangerous, however, the only serious alternative would be to use higher standard filters that might or might not be suitable for the respirators we use.

So, can you save me reading the next 320 pages? BTW, the specialist did say that 0.1u was overkill.

perhap the answer lies with supplied air full face helmets , providing the filters are ok . there are also some turbine models from usa where the pump is put in a clear area and air is piped in to mask . found them on ebay usa several months ago , breathe safely .cheers bob

Hi All Again,
I Clicked on a Link? from Paul39. Couldn't find it again, but it has the exact set of Filters that we 4 got from USA.
It Seems to me that we are all getting to serious about all this.
I'm going to be quite happy with this new 3M Mask.
I find it very hard to believe that a Huge Amount of Dust is going to Thread its way through my Whiskers into my mouth, & cause me a lot of concern
At least it is going to keep a fair amount out.

The Cost all up was $50 ea. The Mask was $20, & I'm not sure of the cost of the Filters.
The Killer was the Postage.
Sir Stinkalot has the paperwork, & he will be able to inform you all of the figures.
Personally I think it was worth it, as I'm the only one that has to be pleased.
Regards,
issatree.
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Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

So, can you save me reading the next 320 pages? BTW, the specialist did say that 0.1u was overkill.

The take home message from the thesis is that woodworkers get sick from exposure to wood dust and protective measures should be taken by both workers and workshops. It didn't go into micron sizes.

Here is another site (Bill Pentz's website) that has info and opinions on risks and solutions. This where I got my cyclone design plans.

.....

Originally Posted by NeilS

The take home message from the thesis is that woodworkers get sick from exposure to wood dust and protective measures should be taken by both workers and workshops. It didn't go into micron sizes.

Here is another site (Bill Pentz's website) that has info and opinions on risks and solutions. This where I got my cyclone design plans.

.....

Thanks Neil. Found that NIH IUPAC Glossary of Terms Used in Toxicology – Terms Starting with R defines respirable dust as 4um (exactly what Ern said) with standard deviation 2um, which means that there is still a risk at the bottom end of the scale, albeit small.

The answer, if you believe the site you link, is:

"My respiratory doctor says every woodworker needs to own, use and properly maintain a good respirator often called a dust mask... He ... says we need to use a good quality fitted respirator mask that meets the NIOSH safety standards. It should have a good silicon-rubber airtight fit..."

Which ties in with what my "respiratory doctor" said.

None of our respirators meets NIOSH standards. At least, that's what the specs of the Trend say, doubt the others would be better.

I will have to stop woodworking or shave.