Wood Irritant Warning

[Willie71]

https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/

 

[Cushing H.]

ut I'll modify his statement to more specifically answer your question, "If you can smell it..." the dust is getting into your lungs.
Even if you can't smell it, but notice colored snot when you blow your nose, some of it is most likely getting into your lungs.

It is not so much that I smell anything - nor that anything come up colored when I blow my nose - but there is just a sense that there is some small particulate floating in the air. Granted, I need to vacuum the floor more often - but I suspect I am heading towards one of the smaller air cleaners that they have at WoodCraft. My space is only like 10'x10' - so the smaller one should work pretty well....

 

[AVigil]

I grind the nasty stuff with a respirator, hat, long sleeves and a fan blowing across the platen with a old wet towel hanging on the other side to catch the cust.

You will be amazed how having a fan blow across the platen will keep dust off of you. When done I just throw the old wet towel away.

 

[Cushing H.]

I grind the nasty stuff with a respirator, hat, long sleeves and a fan blowing across the platen with a old wet towel hanging on the other side to catch the cust.
You will be amazed how having a fan blow across the platen will keep dust off of you. When done I just throw the old wet towel away.

I have 8x10 metal duct underneath the business end of the grinder, connected to a dust deputy, then ultimately to a shop vac. Seems to really catch the great majority of all dust (and metal pieces). There is just a little bit though that gets carried backwards with the belt ... do real way to catch that yet (unless I enclose the thing in a cabinet). Likewise I have taken to wearing gloves, long sleeves, mask and respirator when working rosewoods (the last two I wear at all times....)

 

[WC53]

https://www.amazon.com/Hobbyair-Half-Facemask-40-Hose/dp/B00VGWQ48I

Have old version of this with half mask and also hood. Hood is more comfortable but vision isn’t as good. Originally for spraying epoxy, but after messing up my lungs woodworking in the 80’s, I use it for a lot more now. If I didn’t need bifocals, the full face would be the way to go.

 

[allenkey]

I've been there too, scott kozub . Before I realized the dangers of certain woods I cut and dried a very overgrown barberry bush.

It is incredibly dense and vibrant yellow. I'm scared to grind it though because the minimal dust from sawing it up outside in open air caused me a similar reaction lol... A rash on my arms that felt like my skin was on fire!

 

[Heli00]

I have a 3M half face mask. What filters are best protection?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

For our purposes, P100 filters are good.

 

[Scaniaman]

FFP2 minimum.

 

[Heli00]

For our purposes, P100 filters are good.

Great, thanks, that’s what I have right now.