I'm a bit of a health nut and often find myself getting anxious after researching things online. I work with pre-cut spruce wood, making wooden pallets with a nail gun for about 25 hours a week in a large open garage. I don't wear a mask, and I'll only be doing this for a few months. I'm curious – how quickly do lung issues from wood dust develop? Am I safe without a mask?
3 Answers
It's generally smart to wear a respirator in dusty environments, whether provided by your employer or if you pick one up yourself – a decent 3M P100 can cost around $20-30 at a hardware store. You might not face serious long-term issues in just a few months, but short-term exposure can lead to allergies or nasal issues. Better to be cautious and wear a mask while you’re working.
Since you're using pre-cut wood and mainly working with a nail gun, the amount of sawdust should be pretty minimal. If you're not feeling any symptoms like chest congestion or a stuffy nose, you might be alright, but it's wise to consider wearing a mask just to be on the safe side.
If you're not inhaling a lot of dust, you shouldn't worry too much. But wearing safety glasses is a must! Just to be safe!
Totally agree! It's not just about dust; wearing a mask is good practice overall, along with safety glasses. It's especially important if you have allergies.