Sore lungs... Quick question!

Reiku85

New Member
Hi All,

I've been spending a lot of time in my workshop recently and have found myself waking up short of breath with a sore chest almost every day for a month now. I've gone to the docs and am in the middle of having some tests done, so please no 'go to the docs!!' advice, but I do have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer.

I used to wear a respirator whenever I did any sanding or cutting work, and since my chest started getting sore I pretty much wear one all the time now just in case there's residual dust knocking around, but it doesn't seem to stop me getting a sore chest. The two might be totally unrelated, but I was just hoping someone could take a look at the respirator I'm using and let me know if it's sufficient? I have no idea how to check for such things I'm afraid.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-4251-Mai...TF8&qid=1415793272&sr=8-1&keywords=respirator is the one I'm using, and I'm making sure it's fitted snug to my face. I change it about once a month, but will change it sooner if it gets clogged up or dirty.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Forever Wheezing,

Me
 
That looks perfectly suitable for what you're doing. I use a 3M mask myself, although I don't use the disposable ones, I have to change the filters on it. Is it just sanding/cutting? Are you able to open a window? You've done the sensible thing and gone to the Doctor, so I guess you'll just have to wait and see what the tests show up for a real answer.
 
That looks like a legit respirator, and it sounds like you are using it right. About two years ago I developed a hyper-sensetivity to cyanoacrylate glues, my sinuses, throat, and sometimes lungs would hurt like hell for days after using it, sometimes even with a respirator on. I've heard of it happening with urethane as well. Might be something to ask a doctor about as it's not very common.
 
Assuming you're in the UK, I'd recommend visiting a safety equipment company such as Arco ( lots of branches), who'll be able to give you advice on types of respirators, specific filters to suit your requirements and they will even size and fit a mask to your shape / size of face.
They don't charge for this it’s all part of the service.
I would suggest you looked at a branded respirator with interchangeable cartridges which will work out cheaper in the long term.
Out of interest what types of material are you working with and how much dust are you creating?
Hope everything turns out okay!
 
As far as I can tell, the mask should suffice if you change it regularly (like you do).

If the sore chest is related to working in your shop I would assume that you inhaled dust that was lingering after you were done sanding. Even though you are now wearing your mask all the time, the irritations might come from that. Keep your mask on, open windows regularly if possible and wait for the results of the tests. Might be that the pain is unrelated, stranger things have happened.

At any rate: Get well soon!
 
All good advice on the respirator z and safety quipment. However, you should absolutely see your doctor soon as possible. Do not mess with things like chest pain, shortness of breath, any light headedness. you might have. Especially if you're around chemicals even with the proper safeguards. from experience, you really cannot be certain what's going on until your checked out by a physician. I don't mean to nag, we just want you around as long as you can be here! :D
 
Out of curiousity, what are you cutting/sanding on a regular basis? Assuming that you do say just wood ect, so long as it is a p2 grade dust filter you will be protected from 99% of fine particles.

If you are using it with a rated gas filter you really only have a day or two of operational use maximum with a organic filter. Exposure to the air/chemicals start the moment you get it out of the sealed packet, so after a week of it sitting around you may as well discard it. It may well filter out the smell of a chemical but the other fumes/vapors will be leaking through as it gets older. Best not take chances.
 
It may not only be the cutting and sanding. I recently developed an allergy or sensitivity to CA glue. It causes me to bre short of breath and sounds like my lungs are congested. Using a respirator greatly reduces the effects of the glue. I may have to go back to the old Testors styrene glue if it starts bothering me again.
Having a window opened certainly helps out as well.

TazMan2000
 
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