Advice Please

[glenpen]

I have been suffering a cough for about a year and now awaiting results of a chest xray.I am now wondering if its caused by turning my pens and would like to know if others have developed cough.(I only turn pens)
I wonder if I am not using the right protection from the dust. My shed is 8ft x 6ft and I have a MC420 Microclene Air Filter, I use a Trend Half Mask.Comments and Advice much appreciated.

Glen:pray:

 

[bigbob]

Glen there are many and varied reasons for a cough my advice is wait for the results of the xray and see what the medical experts have to say.

 

[silver]

Glen,

Your GP would be doing the X-ray as a base line to see what's happening. I would wait for the results and see what's They are, however a good point to raise it as a concern.

The main thing for me is you say you use a microclene and a trend half mask, the questions I would ask are?

1What type of filter do you have in your half mask and microclene?
They are only suitable for specific types of dust, certain ones will only filter out PM10, when sanding then you may need a filter to take out PM2.5. (PM = particle matter and relates to the size of dust, search google for PM2.5��)

Do you use the same mask for Woodturning as for glueing?
Again, there are specific masks to take out chemical fumes, dust masks are not suitable for that task. You will need specific fume masks.

There are also specifics that you need to consider when turning "man made" blanks as they will give off different fumes and dust.

This said topic is close to my heart as my attitude to taking away dusts and fumes is at source rather than relying on dust masks and second filtering systems.

Even changing or cleaning the microclene filters and the trend filter needs to be done correctly or otherwise you may as well have left them in the air for you to breath in in the first place.

My 39 years of my day to day job has been running and maintaining such filtering systems so am aware of the issues and what controls neeed to be in place.

I'm not going to recommend what to use or what I use as that could steer you in to the wrong direction, you need to assess what you use and what the risks are associated with using those in your workshop. Then you can get the right filtration for your needs.

Good source of information is the HSE.

Woodworking health topics – Inhaling wood dust

Search HSE website

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg273.pdf

Research for COSHH data sheets for what you need to do to control the dust and fumes of what you are using.

https://www.tetconnect.com/images/stories/virtuemart/documents/PBA002_SDS.pdf

Hope that helps, if you need any further help then PM me I might be able to give you a steer..

Hope all results come out good for you and look forward to a positive outcome.

 

[Penpal]

Your question is a wide open one Glenn.

Indications I have observed of woodworkers have been from inflamed throats that do not go away. Certain timbers I know of produce small but strong hooks that irritate the scillia? the small hairs lining the lungs. This can cause cancer growths. One timber here is Australian Blackwood well know as a hazardous timber. But be careful self diagnosing for example irritation in the lungs causes coughing usually clearing the lungs.

Using CA can bring about a lifelong reaction to the fumes. Ed from America advocates the CA without the nasty fumes.

There are innumerable indications posted by Woodworkers Clubs and organisations. Google will provide easily a list of dangerous timbers.

Sensitivity is different for most of us eg peanut allergies but potentially fatal for some who suffer anaphylactic breakdown when in contact even with dust of etc.

Stressing your woodwork is aiming at a potential rather than a known in your case.

Allergy tests involving a scratch of a large number of potential allergens placed on each cut that are covered and checked at a later date.

Good luck with the X Ray a very general first base start.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[DJB Penmaker]

As Eamonn says I'm sure it's initially just to set a baseline, it doesn't mean that your doctor is worried at this stage or that you should be. I know that's easier said than done. Try not to worry over something that may not happen. Using the mask and filters is doing a lot more than many do, believe me!

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Dalboy]

Going on from what Eamonn has stated, many have masks and other filter systems it is no good finishing turning and sanding to take the mask off as there are still particles floating in the air for a period after the sanding has finished always give them the chance to clear the air either before removing the mask or leave the shed until they have done there work. But as already stated find out what the doc says.

 

[rayf6604]

Have you been using Corian? I had a turn after breathing the dust off this. Made me badly for several months, but other dusts could also cause a reaction I'm sure.

 

[wm460]

Going on from what Derek said, if you look at the sunlight streaming in to your shed if you can see any dust specks in it that is what you are breathing.

 

[Penpal]

Best to exceed the norm in removing dust, it is always noisy and not easy in a large space such as mine so I have several systems and individual units. It pays.

Peter.