Well I’m currently suffering from my fourth or fifth sore throat and cold in the past six months and wood dust is strongly suspected in playing a part. Reading up on these things I fear I may have become sensitised to some, maybe all, types of wood dust. Sensitisation is where dust causes very small levels of damage that you don’t even notice, but they build up gradually over time until all of a sudden you find yourself intolerant to even the smallest amounts. I think that’s where I might be and of course there is no remedy other than not breathing the stuff in in the first place.
So how do I stop breathing the stuff in?
To date I have been using a disposable face mask and an extractor that sucks the dust out at source when I am sanding. But sanding isn’t the only cause of dust and direct extraction will never be able to capture all the dust created. Furthermore, the face mask is cheap and probably doesn’t provide a snug enough fit to be fully effective.
So I need two things:
- A good mask
- An air filtration system
I have tried a full face mask and really don’t think I could suffer one, so I’m thinking of getting one of these for £31:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/vitrex-vitrex-twin-filter-respirator-prod719630/
And for the air filtration I’m tempted with this for £220:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/jet-jet-afs-500-air-filtration-system-prod21189/
Previously I’ve always baulked at the price but I’m slowly beginning to heed the sage wisdom given to me many moons ago: they’re not cheap, but they’re cheaper and more readily available than a new pair of lungs.
So does anyone have any thoughts on these potential purchases? I’m particularly interested to hear from anyone who knows of better products at lower prices 🙂
Cheers, Phil Jones
I agree with the real hazard of dust. Both my workshops have an air filtration system similar to the Jet you mention.
The Trend airshield is what I wear almost all the time in the workshop, but remember that when you take it off the air is still laden with dust so you will need constant air filtration whenever working.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/trend-trend-airshield-pro-prod719697/
I also have an airline which I use to blow dust off things, but this in incredibly good at kicking up dust everywhere, so only use when using the respirator, and vacate the workshop until the air scrubber has cleared the air. Best to suck up the dust, then to blow it away (‘cos it aint going anywhere)
The masks are of limited value for me, even the silly-money Dust-be-gone, because they don’t seal properly (for me at least with my beard) and they cause condensation in the eye protectors.
The Jet is good, and fairly quiet, the Microclene is better but noisier.
You only have one set of lungs, so spend proper money on protecting them ….. or take up green woodturning, where there is no dust.