So, I made a bit of a mistake while working in my garage. I used some finishing wax without wearing an organic vapor mask, and honestly, I didn't even think about it at the time. I was exposed for around 10 minutes, and while I feel a slight tickle in my throat, I'm mostly just anxious about whether this is bad for my health. Should I be worried or consider seeing a doctor?
2 Answers
I’ve been doing carpentry for over 40 years and never bothered with a vapor mask! In my experience, you’re probably just fine after a little bit of exposure like that.
You really should be good! The tickle might just be from something else. Just make sure to ventilate next time—open a door or window when you're using any kind of finish. I usually wear a respirator if I’m working with stronger chemicals, but there's usually not enough solvent in finishing wax to cause harm in a garage.