I am just wondering what would be the worst to be breathing: a finish, like polyurethane or saw dust from, say, sanding. I usually use a respirator in my enclosed, unventilated shop, but not in saw dust. Is this a hazard, or is sawdust mild compared to finishes?
Thanks for the input.
Replies
they are both hazards. some sawdust like walnut, can cause nasal cancer. polyurethane dust from sanding is what i'd be more concerned with-metallic driers,plastic molecules and other "proprietary" ingredients.
a lot depends if you are a smoker. if so, your ability to filter these particulates is greatly reduced.
Knaughty,
I agree that both of these are hazards.
I use Festool tools, which are about 97%-99% dust free, which all but eliminates one of these hazards in my shop. I'm not trying to push you into buying these tools, but if this is a concern of yours, it would be worth checking it out.
http://www.festool-usa.com
Hey Knaughty,
They are both hazards, as the others have mentioned. The polyurethane is largely a chemical hazard, both from the solvent, and from the catalyst (usually methylisocyanate). The solvent is often MEK (methyl elthyl ketone) which can do nasty things to your central nervous system that you won't notice until later in life.
The isocyanate will mess with your body's respiritory circulation, and can be very dangerous. Do you remember the Union Carbide disaster at Bophal, India? That was methylisocyanate.
The good thing, is that both these chemicals are well documented, and you have a right to recieve a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) covering the hazards, any time you purchase, or use the products.
The wood hazards are less well documented, and occur on two fronts. They are a particulate hazard that can, and do, cause respiritory illness such as emphasema. They can also be chemcial and biohazards. Many trees are very bioreactive plants. Some, like yew, are even used in the pharmaceutical industry. Spalted woods contain fungal products that are also very bioreactive (penecillin is a mold remember).
You owe it to yourself to wear a properly rated respirator (preferably a positive pressure one) when spraying urethanes, and a good HEPA filter when sanding. Don't forget the dust left in the shop when you're done sanding. Clean up with a good vacuum to prevent it from kicking up at a later time.
Tom
Don't forget the dust left in the shop when you're done sanding. Clean up with a good vacuum to prevent it from kicking up at a later time.
Excellent reminder!
"Affairs on the border cannot be judged by standards that hold elsewhere."
If you have to pick between the two, I would say that wood dust is more hazardous. A few years ago, the gummint rated it a carcinogen, and that's when sales of dust collectors, air cleaners, and dust masks really took off.
You need to wear a mask if there's sawdust in the air. The smallest particles settle in your lungs and stay there. Envision yourself in your late 60's, 70's or 80's toting one of those oxygen bottles around. Get the message?
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I use a shopvac hooked to my sander and have a air filtration system. Do you think that's enough protection, or do I need a mask? The air seems alot cleaner since I got my air filter.
Steve
If at the end of the day when you pick your nose and it looks like a MDF bugger came out of your nose, you need to do more.
Yeah, your right on the nose excretion part, I notice this especially when I am blowing in insulation and forget a dust mask to breath easier.
What I need for my shop, I think, is a central dust collection system, at the least, a shop vac. Also an air purifier wouldn't go wrong either, would it. The problem I have is that the shop is unventilated, no air movement at all and it always stinks of paint thinner and polyurethane after I use them.
With warmer seasons coming, I will open the windows and doors for some fresh breeze and feel better about my health. Do you find it difficult to circulate air throughout your workspace, or do you mainly use respirators?
B Near
Most (if not all) air filtration units also have, as an option, a charcoal filter that will "elliminate smoke, odors, and other fumes." Still need to wear your respirator while finishing though. The air scrubber will circulate the air as it cleans, and make it feel much fresher in there.
"I usually use a respirator in my enclosed, unventilated shop, but not in saw dust." "I notice this especially when I am blowing in insulation and forget a dust mask to breath easier." "...open the windows and doors for some fresh breeze and feel better about my health." Uhhhh, so far your work habits are working pretty hard against your health. 'Scuze the lecture, but things ain't lookin' good here.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Hey Knaughty,One caution about using activated carbon filtration of organic solvent fumes. Whether in a cartridge respirator, or in a room air filtration system, the activated carbon will collect the solvent fumes to a point.What's commonly forgotten is that these elements have a finite capacity. Once the surface of the carbon is saturated, it will accept no more organics. What's worse, is that if left in the room, or on your face, they will slowly give up the organics back to your breathing air.Once you've used a respirator cartridge, throw it out. Don't be tempted to get another use out of it. That mean's each day for a hobbiest, and probably a couple of cartridges a day for a production situation.Fortunately, dust is a different matter. But if your filter gets clogged you may end up drawing harder and compromise the seal on your face. BTW if you have a beard, you should most definitely get a positive pressure system for organics, as you will not get a good seal with a beard. I go in for respirator fit testing once a year as part of my job, and one year I wore a beard, and brought a razor, just to see how much a close cropped beard would effect the test. I ended up shaving it off and testing again, because the fit was not even close to passing with the beard.Tom
Edited 3/15/2005 12:11 pm ET by tms
<<"Once you've used a respirator cartridge, throw it out. Don't be tempted to get another use out of it.">>I know what you mean, but it is probably worth clarifying that you are talking about a charcoal filter used in a respirator for organic vapors -- such as paint thinner, polyurethane, etc.You do not have to discard a respirator used for dust protection this often.
Hey Nikki,You're right, of course. That said, they are pretty cheap, and they lose efficiency as they clog up. I think that the important thing is to get in the habit of changing filter elements on a regular basis, and not just hap hazardly.Tom
I think that the important thing is to get in the habit of changing filter elements on a regular basis, and not just hap hazardly.
The thing about filters is that you need to make sure the seal is good, that the filter is actually doing the job. I change filters, oh, whenever, you know, not on a regular basis (that's a no no), but as I get more input on these matters, my memory is remembering to change filters.
I work at an farm and spray apple trees in a tractor with a charcoal filter to filter out the smells and can eventually smell the stuff when the charcoal is saturated too much, maybe this should be changed sooner, but the cost for a charcoal filter like that (12" x 24") costs close to $300, not a real pocket pleaser.
B Near
Try $53.89 -- click here to see.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Well, yeah, I am just figuring this out with all the postings, thanks, all, and realize the importance of clean air, because, how I picture it is an old person who smoked all their life and have to cough up a cup of phlegm each morning, something like that. My neighbor had a problem with being in too bad of atmosphere and now has to talk like he's got a noose around his head, and can only eat soft foods now. Take a lesson from him and stay safe, and those who say you can't take care of your health enough, I believe so, also.
-Brad
B Near
Resperaitors are necessary but fresh air ventalition is also necessary.
"Affairs on the border cannot be judged by standards that hold elsewhere."
Sounds like enough, but, it's hard to say without knowing the volume.
If you are in it a lot, you really can't take too many precautions with your health.
"Affairs on the border cannot be judged by standards that hold elsewhere."
Thanks FG, I'm trying to quit smoking, and your graphic image was just what I needed this morning to battle on!
Benchdog, anything I can do to help! Hang tough. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
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