Is Wood Dust Harmful?
 

Is the dust produced from turning wood on the lathe harmful? AYC in particular but wood in general? Do you guys wear masks?:confused:

Ya,i turn outside but still wear a 3m dust mask,especially when sanding,but wonder if it's still enough.
What do you guys find is the safest mask?

From someone who's worked in the construction industry for a long time.....the answer is YES!
Naturals like mahogany,cedar and yes my beloved cypress aren't good for the 'ol lungs.They can tear your lungs after long exposure.
PT and IPE have harmful chemicals in them.But who makes plugs outta PT?
In the end inhaling the fine dust of any wood is bad for you.

Wear your NIOSH N95/100 particulate respirator and you'll be fine.When you're spraying the finish on your plugs make sure to use the appropriate chemical cartridge for your respirator.

i use these http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS...gkj.0&MID=9876

i always wear a mask,saftey glasses or a full face shield and base ball cap that keeps dust out of your hair

Yes, especially when sitting on the throne the next day.:D

Does it have to be N95 or 100 ? Or both number rating at the same time?.

Mine says:

NIOSH Approved, high efficiency P100 filter cartridges
Off-center cartridge adapters for maximum visibility
Helps protect against paint and pesticide sprays/vapors, chlorine, lead, asbestos, solvents and mold.

mahogany, teak and some other hardwoods have silica in them. Prolonged exposure will lead to silicosis.. which can be fatal.

You guys are wimps :laughs:
One of the Brizilian guys I work with, sands & paints cars all day with No resporator, No mask, NOTHING!!!
His lung feels great!!!:laughs:

wear a mask Larry....and not the black leather one with the zipper you got in ptown

Bring out the Gimp////
:rotfl::laughs:

AYC gives me a headache....for real .. must admit I don't wear a mask ,,I have a vacum hose going all the time right on work piece.

The P100 means it filters 100% of the particles listed on it or the package the filters came in.You're good for both sanding and painting your plugs.

If its givin u a headache its givin ur lungs a beating where a mask or respirator.what seems fine now is terrible later just ask my friend with the Kazoo.

My friends father makes custom acoustic guitars. He recently upgraded the air filtration in his shop , after he began coughing up blood. Doctors linked it to the wood dust in the air.

Any of you guys in plant engineering? There might be an M S D S on wood particulate! The Threshold Limit Value (TLV) will list the reccommended mask and filter capability.

3 M has a website that will give you more info then you could ever use to choose a mask.
To make it easy call their toll free # 1-800-243-4630 and tell their tech dept what your doing and they will tell you exactly what mask you need. Makes it easy:D
BTW-he told me there is gycol ether in acrylic paints and if u do alot of spraying you should use a mask with some charcoal.

Material
Saftey
Data
Sheets


I haven’t heard that one in a long time.

I have met some plug builders that don't wear a mask. I hope they heed these warnings.

Thanks for the help guys...gonna pick one up tomorrow.;)

I was at the building #19 in New Bedford today. They have 70 gal. 2hp dust collector vac. for $80.....Looked like something a plug builder could use.

After about three plugs I get a sore throat and a runny nose if I don't wear a respirator. I paint cars and trucks for a living so that can't be a good sign.

You know, I am really glad to read these posts. I sanded a dozen plugs Sunday on the lathe. I have alwys worn a canister mask when I spray paint but not when I sand and just wear my face shield. I use only AYC. I noticed Sunday that I was very congested and felt like crap all the rest of the day.
I will be wearing my canister mask for sanding from now on

Yeah, thats exactly the way I feel sometimes Piemma....and I turn outdoors so that can't be good for you!;)

I gotta get some kind of ventilation system. My wife is complaining about all the dust. I vacumn every 2 or 3 plugs I turn but when you get down to 280 or 320 sandpaper the dust gets into everything.

Thats why I stop sanding at 120 :D

Yeah, but the Martha Stewart paint needs a smoooooth finish to stick.

Guys, you have to wonder about anything that makes you feel like crap.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/wooddust/index.html

This is a good info start.

Dust accumulation is also a MAJOR explosion hazard, Factory Mutual runs a tour of their facility and does a demo of how a small amount of dust can cause a large explosion.

Stay safe!