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As the letter below notes, many woodwokring publications have recently at least mentioned respirators. In the current issue of Popular Woodworking (August 2007, #163), Chris Schwarz writes in his editor’s note (“The Curse of the Creepy Kleenex”) that despite meticulous dust-collection efforts in the shop, a respirator is still sometimes a necessity. And in Chapter 7 of Woodworking Essentials in the same issue, Scott Gibson addresses dust collection in great detail. But, there’s always room for more good information, as reader Joe Corriveau reminds us:
Many of the publications I subscribe to have been talking about respirators and air filtration. However, I have yet to see anything comprehensive on the subject. My father was an industrial safety salesman and I worked for him for 10 years as the customer service manager, and I also worked for several years for an asbestos demolition company, where respirator protection was the largest safety issue. Here are some respirator issues that I’ve not yet seen discussed:
1) Facial hair will not allow any mask to create the seal that is necessary for the mask to do what it is supposed to do.
2) Most dust masks sold at home-improvement centers are designed for very low-risk applications, and most likely will not work too well for you. You should, at least, look for masks with a metal nasal strip. This allows you to fit the mask better in this area by bending the strip so it follows the contours of you face better creating a better seal. Also, if it has but one elastic strip, don’t bother with it.
3) If you are serious about using a mask, get a silicone half mask with changeable filters.
a) For most of us, dust filters are all that is needed.
b) If you do a lot of spraying, get the right filter. A dust filter will not protect you. You will most likely need an “organic vapor/acid gas” cartridge.
c) If you are using any form of cartridge that has a charcoal filter in it, you need to store it in a airtight container. These cartridges have a life of about 24 hours once the manufacturer’s seals have been removed. Proper storage will extend the life of the filter.
d) You are better off not buying masks from a home-improvement center. Find a safety distributor in your area. Some will take walk-in private sales. Some will even be willing the test-fit you for a mask. Silicone half masks come in different sizes. Get the one that is right for you. Most salespeople will take the time to talk to you about your activities and get you the right filters for your type of work.
4) Just because you’re done making dust, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t any in the air. Leave your mask on until you either leave the area/your shop, or wait for the dust to settle and the air filters to do their job.
5) Masks, vacuums and air filters all do what they are supposed to do. But, each one does a different thing. None of them, alone or together, can provide full protection. However, all three can provide maximum protection when used together.
6) Your lungs are your life. Take care of them and they will take care of you.
– Joe Corriveau, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Do you have dust collection tips? We invite you to share them with other readers by leaving a comment.
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
In scanning blogs this morning I ran into a post on a wood working blog that has good advice about respirator selection and use. Even though the blog seems to be targeted at home shops, this posting has advice that applies to us all. So check out popularwoodworking.com, the article about double glazing.
Several people have e-mailed me about the pictured respirator, which is the Trend Airshield. It provides a steady flow of filtered air from a battery-powered motor that runs four hours between charges. You can find out more about it at http://www.trendairshield.com/overview.html.
I was pleased to read your brief views of Joe Corriveau and Chris Schwartz notes on "the Curse of the Creepy Kleenex".
I am absolutely convinced that even with all the modern equipment we do install to optimize dust collection, all our efforts still remain at risk as a safety issue. I believe it is due to the meganization of our tooling. We do not do our woodworking as what our great/grandfather’s did, all by hand and no dust.
Due to economy and availability I make use of the full-range of Triton Woodworking machinery and related safety equipment. This includes the Triton Powered Respirator System. This system provides safe and effective protection for my eyes, ears, head and lungs. It accommodates a rechargeable air filter unit which provides a continuous wash of clean air which is is directed down the inside of the visor and across the face, eliminating any potential for fogging. It is suitable for filtering airborne dust created in woodworking like, sawing,sanding,woodtuning etc.
I am pleased this safety issue has come to the fore, and I would like Chris and team to have a look at this system and evaluate the Protection value(advantages/disadvantages in comparison the other available systems. This will only be of value to all enthusiast and also to manufactures to improve on their product for our safety.
Regards,
Steve Prinsloo
South Africa
I often have my shop made ambient air cleaner running when I am making dust in the shop. A window fan, a few furnace filters about the same size, a plywood box to hold the lot. The fan pulls air through the filters cleaning the air.
I use three filters – two cheapies to get all the big stuff and one very good filter on the inside to get the really small stuff. I use mostly handtools which you don’t associate with a lot of airborne dust, but during an extended session this makes a big difference in air quality.
I should try to make a sketch of the box using this google sketchup tool!
1) Agree about the facial hair. That is why you don’t see airline pilots with beards. They cannot properly fit an oxygen mask with facial hair.
2) You can easily get a good quality mask at a auto paint supply store. I got an organic vapor mask from such a store right around the corner from me. No need to try to hunt and find a safety distributor.