Dust: A Cautionary Tale!

[Neomorph]

Well I can honestly say I've learned my lesson

A few weeks back I was doing some prep work for the parts of my router table and got lazy and didn't put my dust mask on while cutting and sanding. A few days later I was having what felt like toothache from above my left hand teeth but the usual test of tapping the teeth failed to find a tooth that was causing it. I took some Ibuprofen and tried to forget about it.

I then started to get horrible yellow mucus coming from my left nostril. I turns out I had gotten a case of acute sinusitis (infection of the sinus) which was most likely triggered by inhaling the dust on top of a cold I already had. Now three weeks later I'm on a second course of antibiotics and if they fail it means the sinus under my left eye will need to be drained physically. Because junk in the sinus keeps generating pus and as it is in bone it is hard to get antibiotics into the affected area and hence the reason for manually draining the rubbish out...

... All because I was too lazy to put a dust mask on.

I'm sorry if it sounds a bit icky for here but it does show what ignoring dust can lead to. I hope others who think that just a little sanding or cutting won't matter if they don't use a dust mask.

 

[Jaco]

You have my greatest sympathy!

I have a similar problem when using finishing oils & sealers.
Think Danish oil has singled me out as a soft target. :evil:

 

[Philly]

Hope you get well soon, John.
Get that dust protection on, people!
Cheers
Philly

 

[Chris Knight]

John,
That does sound horrid - hope that you get better soon!

 

[dedee]

John, get well soon.

Just out of interest what wood were you working with?

Andy

 

[Woodythepecker]

Lets hope that the antibiotics work this time.

Regards

Woody

 

[Offcut]

Just eating my lunch

Yuk

Andy

Hope you get better soon.

 

[Evergreen]

Hi John

Hope you get better soon.

I too would be interested to know what wood you were using. Mind you, I was always told that it was the dust that you couldn't see that was more of a hazard than the dust you could see.

Regards.

 

[Neomorph]

Do you need to ask what wood lol...

M D F

Actually I'm beginning to think those letters should really stand for "Major Danger Force" heh.

I'm not exactly feeling ill at the moment except for the slight nausea from the antibiotics and the weird toothache that isn't toothache... oh yeah and the fact that I feel like I need a tap fitted to my left cheekbone.

I've really been having second thoughts to getting one of those airshield masks the last few days as one of the other reasons I hate using normal dust masks is I wear glasses and I always find the silly things steam up my specs. I originally thought £159 was outrageous but now I can see it being worth it.

Thanks for the sympathy btw... but I was more concerned with letting others know the hazards of ignoring that little bit of dust that surely can't hurt.

 

[trevtheturner]

Hi John,

Hope it clears up soon.

Trend Airshields are expensive, but one could turn out to be one of the best investments you ever make. You can also wear your specs whilst wearing it, of course.

Cheers,

Trev.

 

[Losos]

Hi John,
Hope you get over this soon. BTW I wear specs as well and can't use the simple dust masks because of lenses fogging up. I currently use the Trend mask which fits the lower face, can't remember the name right now but they are a lot cheaper than the Airshield (About 60 quid IIRC)

It works for me - no misting of specs - and, so far, no probs with dust. There is an option face shield as well, but that doesn't fit in the storage case which is a pity.

When fitted people will make obtuse references to Darth Vader etc. but you soon learn to ignore them

 

[matt]

Do you need to ask what wood lol...

M D F

Actually I'm beginning to think those letters should really stand for "Major Danger Force" heh.

I'm not exactly feeling ill at the moment except for the slight nausea from the antibiotics and the weird toothache that isn't toothache... oh yeah and the fact that I feel like I need a tap fitted to my left cheekbone.

I've really been having second thoughts to getting one of those airshield masks the last few days as one of the other reasons I hate using normal dust masks is I wear glasses and I always find the silly things steam up my specs. I originally thought £159 was outrageous but now I can see it being worth it.

Thanks for the sympathy btw... but I was more concerned with letting others know the hazards of ignoring that little bit of dust that surely can't hurt.

I returned my Airshield cos it just did not suit me. However, I have since purchased a Roebuck respirator from George Higgins in Sidcup (£26.99 and available from their site). Brilliant! Does not fog up my glasses and is comfortable to wear. (And my beard does not undermine the seal).

 

[Neomorph]

Hi John,
Hope you get over this soon. BTW I wear specs as well and can't use the simple dust masks because of lenses fogging up. I currently use the Trend mask which fits the lower face, can't remember the name right now but they are a lot cheaper than the Airshield (About 60 quid IIRC)

It works for me - no misting of specs - and, so far, no probs with dust. There is an option face shield as well, but that doesn't fit in the storage case which is a pity.

When fitted people will make obtuse references to Darth Vader etc. but you soon learn to ignore them

Well I ordered the Trend AirAce (the half face mask you have Losos) and it came to £31.78 including delivery from Toolshop Direct. I'm definately not taking any more chances with getting an infection like this as it's still lingering and seems to get better then flares up again. Good thing is that I don't feel ill anymore (or maybe I've got so used to it I no longer care :? ) so at least I'm up and around again. I'm leaving any work on the router table until I get the mask. 8)

 

[Vormulac]

Hi John,

Glad you're feeling better. The AirAce is what I use, and although I haven't tried a powered mask, the AirAce seems to be a pretty good piece of kit to me.

GWS.

V.

 

[Anonymous]

Glad things are getting better John

Just remember to wear that new mask :wink:

(and I'll rmember the pushsticks :roll: )

 

[Neomorph]

Glad things are getting better John

Just remember to wear that new mask :wink:

(and I'll rmember the pushsticks :roll: )

Hehe... we all think "ahh it will never happen to me" don't we. I used to think that a bit of sawdust was nothing as we never used any protection when I was at school woodworking (mind you that was back in the 70's).

Thanks for everyones kind thoughts. Hopefully both mine and Tony's mishaps will help others to think twice about not taking proper care in the future.