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Staying safe in the workshop - wood dust
One thing that everyone accepts is that all dust is a potential hazard. This includes hardwood dust, softwood dust and MDF dust. The risk is dependent on the species of wood turned as well as the sensitivity of the individual. Some woods are well known to be toxic such as Yew and Laburnum but see the third link below for a comprehensive database of woods and their levels of toxicity.
Proof of harm comes from the mortality of long-term workers in the furniture industry, working with timbers such as beech.
The risk depends on how much dust is present and how long you spend breathing it in. So an occasional turner working green (less dusty) wood is at less risk than the dedicated person who spends long hours hunched over the lathe hand-sanding dry and dusty stuff. Only a small proportion of those exposed to wood dust are likely to be affected, but turners can easily expose themselves to high dust levels, well above the legal limit for commercial workshops, at least for short periods. There is no absolutely safe dust level. The fine particles that are most hazardous are almost invisible in the air, and stay airborne for a long time.
Many people recommend that a good approach is to
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avoid producing dust in the first place eg use sharp tools
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collect the dust at source using appropriate dust collection systems.
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wear a suitable personal dust mask.
In respect of c) masks are often designated by FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3 (sometimes abbreviated to P1, P2, P3). There are other standards used in the USA and in Europe.
Some sources suggest that for wood dust we need to use at least a face mask rated at FFP2 or above however the AWGB guidelines state that an equivalent of FFP3 is recommended. Apart from the rating, how well they fit on the face and time used, other things that affect safe use include the individuals personal susceptibilities and the particular wood species being used so that in the end each of us has to decide what we do based on our own sense of acceptable risk.
Last year I bought a powered respirator from Axminster and although it was expensive it does feel comfortable and well balanced and this is my default dust protection now.
Some links below – there are lots of other sites that offer their own guidance.
https://www.awgb.co.uk/woodturning-safety/dust-protection-policy/
https://turnedwoodenbowls.co.uk/2017/02/27/wood-dust/
https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
https://www.xamax.co.uk/blog/how-to-pick-a-dust-mask-rating-p1-vs-p2-vs-p3.html
