I might have made a silly mistake while DIY-ing in my new place. I really disliked my kitchen cabinets, so I decided to give them a makeover by sanding off the old varnish. I didn't think about safety gear and ended up sanding for about five hours in my not-so-empty living room, causing a fine layer of dust to coat everything. I'm starting to worry about the dust I've been breathing in, especially since I've noticed some light lung pain. Is this something I should be seriously concerned about? What should I do next?
3 Answers
Drink plenty of fluids; it helps your lungs deal with any dust. You're probably okay if this is just a one-time thing. Just finish the job safely with a mask on, and you should be alright!
Honestly, you've probably done the worst of it already. Just grab a respirator to protect yourself moving forward, and if you can, get a HEPA air cleaner to help clean the air. Finish up your project safely, and keep hydrated while you work!
No need to stress too much! As long as you don't do this every day, you're likely fine. Just make sure to wear a dust mask for the rest of the job and try to avoid inhaling any more of that dust. If you have a vacuum with a HEPA filter, use it to clean up afterward. That should help a lot!
Thanks for the reassuring words! I'll definitely wear a mask and get my vacuum going afterward.