Ran across this Canadian gov article about the hazards of wood dust exposure.  It's very straight forward in the assessment of the hazards. That said, it seems to lean to the side of gloom and doom.  I've always paid more attention to keeping my fingers attached to my hands. 

 

Here is what I do:

• Dust collection system
• Disposable face masks
• Regular cleaning
• Air filtration system 
• Thinking of adding a PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirators)

 

What are your experiences related to respiratory health issues in the shop?  What measures do you have in place to protect yourself?

 

.40

Thanks!

OK, basis for my opinion:  entered the HVAC industry in '72, worked for manufacturer (Trane), then partner in an engineering firm, then managing a service dept, then several contractors; now doing forensic engineering (still HVAC, plumbing, etc). My experiences include clean rooms, labs, hospitals (and operating rooms), hazardous dust (lead dust makes wood dust look like your best friend), etc., etc.  Oh, and gowning / masks.  

     So, here is my experience:  when you read a horror story of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems, understand that it involves a tiny (less than 1%) portion of the population who unfortunately are hyper-sensitive.  But the damages to them drive lawsuits and news headlines (parallel:  only about 0.5% of adults have peanut allergies [2% kids], but you can't buy a burger without reading "we use peanut oils here" warnings). Annnnd, who hasn't seen the CA Prop 65 warning on a piece of steel?

     Quick acid test:  if you haven't experienced sensitivity to ww dust up to now, there's a very high chance you never will.  I won't say precautions are wasted because some very long-term effects (e.g., lung cancer) might take some years to show up.  However, Mayo Clinic cites exposure to asbestos and other carciinogens as only #5 on the list of causes (#6 is family history)(cigarette smoke is #1,2; radiation, radon are #3,4).  So how much should we fear wood dust?  Is it worse than atmospheric dust (here in the Az desert we got lots of particulates)?  Again, sensitivity varies, but it's a pretty small portion of the population that has problems.

    So, what do I do?  When sanding I try to hook the ROS to my dust collector/shop vac.  My bench area has a fan that blows toward the (open) door.  I use a leaf blower every week or two to blow the dust out into the street (you're welcome Neighbor!).  If I feel vulnerable that day, I might even wear a Covid mask (little more than a bandana, really....75 micron spacing on fabric....5 micron particle size, but it still grabs some).  I hook my DC (and in its time, my shop vac) to all the tools I can, and use contained area exhaust on others (e.g., miter saw).  Area/room dust collection (the ceiling-hung fan/filter units) are marginal improvements so I'll never bother (money better spent on tool dust collection).  Respirator?  I'd give up the hobby first...hate 'em.  

     But that's me.  Peace of mind is maybe worth something, but often it's a mirage.  And if you smoke cigarettes (or any substance):  why are we having this conversation???!!!

2 hours ago, forty_caliber said:

What are your experiences related to respiratory health issues in the shop?  What measures do you have in place to protect yourself?

 

40. I have cut down on dust exposure in my work area due to the decrease in sanding operations, I am using more hand tools than before thus creating shavings and not dust. I reach for the hand saw when I can, and hand saw dust falls to the floor, it doesn't materialize into the air.

When my shop WAS primarily powered, I really never paid any attention to it, I might wear a mask now and then, but not religiously, I guess if I was working in some sort of manufacturing environment I'd be more concerned, but I never really was concerned with the work I have done, is that right? I dunno, I may pay for it later in life, it's a personal decision as always. Research and keep it all in perspective.

I loved @PeteM observation and opinions, specially about the mask.

I guess I see it as more of a hazard than many. I have as much DC as a home shop can have, though I haven't yet installed an ambient air cleaner. There are some things to this not related to health...removing and containing as much dust as possible really helps when finishing stuff. That's even more important if you use oil based finishes (which I still favor). Back to the health thing, I think I have a slight allergy to cherry but other woods don't bother me as much. But I don't want to risk clogging my lungs or tempting any other type of problem that may arise. Then there's also the part that m wife has COPD, so I don't want to carry any dust into the house (my shop is detached, but my clothes still get dusty). I respect Pete's opinion, but to me it's better safe than sorry. I do use a face mask (not disposable), especially when sanding on the lathe (something I don't do a lot, I'm not a turner) and of course when finishing; but that's organic vapors. I haven't put in an ambient air cleaner, though I intend to. But that won't be for health reasons, that's more toward cleanliness when finishing....by the time an air cleaner gets the dust it's already reached your lungs. Run it overnight though and the air will be better for the finishing stuff.

When you study industrial ventilation (there's a manual for it, with the inspiring name "Industrial Ventilation", a real page turner) you find that capture at the source is worth ten times capture at the room level, and that's where I try to spend my money.  In fact this discussion convinced me that I should employ amoveable dust scoop for all my bench work.  This would greatly reduce my floor dust (which goes airborn rather easily).  A bag style dust collector with 1-micron rated bag is already doing its best.

 

 

Yep, that's what I've tried to do as well. I'm on my 3rd (and last) DC, I bought a Clearvue with a 16" impeller and ran 6" ducts to everything that could accept (or be modified to accept) it. Even so, there are a lot of operations that doesn't help, mostly with hand held tools like a router. Sanders, track saws, and biscuit joiners and so on can be hooked to a vac, but the router seems to escape taming regarding wood dust....unless it's in a router table. What John said helps a lot as well...hand tool use. That really cuts down on sanding.

When it comes to dust collection I don’t think you can have too much. There is a simple test here. Blow your nose at the end of the day. If a lot of snotty wood dust comes out you don’t have enough. That being said I am a 35 year veteran of ER as an RN and third generation builder/woodworker and I have only seen two emergencies involving wood dust. One had nothing to do with inhaling dust but was an explosion due to extreme dust situation. The other was a little closer to home and was my brother and partner in building homes for many years. In those days we milled everything ourselves. Windows, doors and cabinets etc. We generally pre made the windows and doors for the project and our wood of choice was Honduran mahogany. Due to a neighbor complaining of noise ( it was in a residential district ) he closed up the shop and continued to work with little or no dust collection to finish up the windows. Ultimately he got dizzy, walked into the house, passed out and ended up in the ER while I was on duty. Fortunately no long term effects but it was scary. That was the impetus ( and demands from the wives ) to move the shop to a commercial space with adequate dust collection. Since that time we have both been fanatics on dust collection. Currently I have a three car garage for a shop. I use two ~1500 cfm dust collectors, one inside the shop and one outside and a 1000 cfm air filter and with that I pass the nose test. Keep in mind that for most of us these days our worst exposure is not the sanders it’s the table saw. I think most of us have sanders that have dust bags or they are hooked up to a dust collection system. The table saw very often is spraying the dust right in your face. I have it hooked up to dust collection and an over arm guard/dust collector for the saw but I admit I don’t use the overarm all the time. 

Paul

Starting to thing that i need to save this and paste it into conversations. First the dust damage from inhaling dust is cumulative, once in it does not come out on a regular basis. This damage to your lungs is cumulative and may not be severe for one exposure but does build over time. Just like any reaction or health problem some are more susceptible than others, but we do not know that until the life has been lived so why tempt your fate?

 

Now as to what I have and why. I have two ambient air cleaners. Yes it is after the horse leaves the barn but if it collects some of that dust before it settles then I will not be stirring it up as I walk in the shop.

 

Central Dust Collection is a Grizzley 2 hp which is in the attic to reduce noise. Dust Deputy (Onieda) and a homemade cyclone get lots of the heavier stuff.  I know the home made is not needed but I do not want to redo what is sitting on top of it. Pipes are PVC throughout the shop.

 

Personal protection at the lathe is a Trend Airshield. For sanding I have several options from RZ masks and something I rarely use from Lee Valley.

 

So as Dirty Harry put if "Do you feel lucky?". The decision is yours.

I do not work inside as I don't have electrical service to my garage.  Even when there is a slight breeze, I wear a respirator.  Some years ago, I made one small table saw cut on a piece of masonite plantation blinds.  3 days later, I was coughing 24 hours per day.  Thinking that I may die, I went to a community clinic and the staff and doctors went nuts.  I had all kinds of breathing treatments and was directed to not do wood working again.  Little did I realize what I had done to my lungs.  As someone here stated, the effects are cumulative.  So, after a few weeks of breathing treatments, I now use both masks and respirators.  They are cheaper than medical treatment and suffering.  Wearing a mask will help with a hand saw if there is a breeze.  I even wear a mask when working in the lawn to minimize allergies.  Just my story.  

21 hours ago, Gerald said:

 First the dust damage from inhaling dust is cumulative, once in it does not come out on a regular basis. This damage to your lungs is cumulative and may not be severe for one exposure but does build over time.

The lungs do remove particulates over time, so it's not permanent.  Some level of dust inhalation is sustainable.  The problem is that the levels aren't the same for everyone.  Generally, if you haven't had problems, your system of particle generation, capture, avoidance, inhalation and elimination is probably sufficient.  Again, the people really sensitive to dust (of any sort) are a small percentage.  However, if you want to obsess, look up "BSL4".  Enjoy.

1 hour ago, PeteM said:

BSL4

I went there, and wish I didn't, it's definitely for the obsessed!

I've been vaccinated. I don't need no %$&# mask! 

Actually, I do. Mine are these from 3M https://www.amazon.com/3M-Particulate-Respirator-8210-Pack/dp/B008MCUZZS/ref=pd_bxgy_2/130-9237707-6089756?pd_rd_w=wc6a8&pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b&pf_rd_r=RS0P2FVDH6H9FPW9XT0C&pd_rd_r=9cb94f39-eaf9-4809-9127-107c82b47fae&pd_rd_wg=tqMkO&pd_rd_i=B008MCUZZS&psc=1

Spent my first 21 years on a ND farm in the worst of dusty conditions [pulling a combine--no cab] next 16 months in Korea servicing brakes on Army trucks--blowing asbestos laden dust from brake assemblies ---next teaching Industrial Arts for nine years with absolutely no dust control the rest of my years to this point in my own shop. Now I do all I can to eliminate the dust situation--main dust collector---ROA sanders hooked to vacuum---- etc. My point to all this is take precautions but not to panic-----I believe the

 most important thing I have done in this is to use only water based finishes---the most significant negative impact ever experienced was when spraying oil based polyurethane in a poorly ventilated space. By the way I just had my 88th birthday and am still going strong

19 hours ago, Marv Rall said:

By the way I just had my 88th birthday and am still going strong

 

I hate I missed it, happy birthday up there Buddy!

How did we miss your birthday, Marv? Hope your 88th party was a great one. You deserve it! 

This is my goto mask:

https://www.harborfreight.com/multipurpose-nuisance-dust-mask-with-replaceable-liners-94222.html

 

Several years ago I started cutting some 1/4" cherry for a fretwork basket. I'd never had problems before while using the scroll saw, rarely had any brown or discolored mucus, I had more at work (different problem). When I cut the cherry my allergies kicked in big time, used OTC treatments to get through it. I found the HF mask and it handled the allergies. Flash forward and I found that the dust during windstorms and harvest was bothering me as well, mask solved that one. Then I had to spray 24D on the bosses pasture, used the mask and thought I had screwed up the mixture, then I took off the mask. I hadn't  screwed up the mixture, the mask took all the smell away. This proved two things, the seal works and the filter works.

   I've been using the mask during my daily bicycle rides because of the heavy smoke from the wildfires, works great, plenty of air and no allergies from the smoke.

   I think the initial problem with the cherry was organic vapors from the wood, I could sand or cut the wood with the table saw with no ill effects, but on the scroll saw...

 

   Shop DC;

   HF 2hp mods: Wide weatherstripping to help seal the bags and a canvas bottom bag (for toughness).

   large Shopvac with HEPA filter

   small Shopvac with HEPA filter

   tower fan with filters, one is electrostatic. Runs continuously next to the scroll saws.

I got a Felder RL because it gets particles down below a micron.   The dusting and DC was not cheap but I'm no longer cleaning the shop air with my lungs.

When I first got into woodworking one of the anesthesiologist I worked with who does some beautiful wood work stated to be careful with wood dust. Didn’t really think much of it. One thing lead to another and went to Texas as a FEMA relief for their Covid icu. It was very difficult for me to breath in the N95’s masks for 13 hrs a day. I ordered this respirator as it was light and I could change out the filters weekly without breaking the bank. I also like it as it is very easy to breath in and clean.

 

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/3m-6200-medium-half-facepiece-reusable-respirator/3996200.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvKrStP2X9AIVCgKGCh23rg40EAYYAiABEgIwzvD_BwE

 

 

Thanks, Kev.