I haven't done much in my shop lately. My allergies have been driving me nuts  and I had a spot show up on one of my lungs that had me staying out of shop dust. It was discovered while they took a picture of something else. It turned out to be a nodule and it was growing slightly. The pulmonary specialist said it should be investigated and I had a PET scan performed. Nothing lit up and he isn't too concerned about it. He said that we will keep a routine watch over it for a year or so.

 The point of this letter is to remind every woodworker to use breathing protection and use good ones. The specialist said that the spot is more than likely something I have inhaled in my shop. He was especially concerned about Cedar, which he said can cause something very similar to what I have, possibly a fungi growth . I have worked with Cedar on my lathe and I'm sure I didn't always use protection. I am also sure that I will from now on.

 Keep in mind that there are a lot of toxic wood dusts and others can cause a fungi to grow in your lungs. So take those extra steps, extra seconds and do yourself a favor.

Thanks for the reminder. We breath in enough junk as it is. In the shop, we have some control over what we breath.

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

Thanks for the heads up. I know I am very guilty of this and need to be more cautious.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Great advice Ron. And it usually comes from someone going through the results. Wood dust seems harmless at times, but long extended exposure like you say is bad, very bad. Thanks again for the reminder Ron, and I hope you get better.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops