I am making pens out of deer antler and I was wondering about the antler dust. Is it harmful to breathe or should I use a mask. I am new to turning and would like to know about any woods I need to look out for as far as their harmful effects on the body..
thanx bill
Bill, You should probably consider ALL wood dust as possibly harmful. Many, especially the tropical hardwoods, are capable of causing allergic reactions. Any dust, whether from wood to dirt roads can cause lung damage if inhaled in sufficient quantities. That's why OSHA and MSHA (the mining equivalent) have dust regulations. With wood, there can be 2 types of problems:
1) immediate allergic reaction 2) "sensitizing" or pre- allergic reaction that eventually leads to allergic reactionsThe least you should do is use a dust mask, and (preferably) a dust collector. If you're going to be turning oily exotics, a long sleeve shirt is also a good idea, as some will cause a skin rash, and others will discolor the skin. Turn and have fun, but be careful.
Ken Moon Webberville, TX
*****************************************
I have gotten into the habit of always putting on my dust mask no matter what I'm turning including green wood which probably doesn't produce a large amount of fine dust. Another hazard apart from the dust is mold from damp or spalting wood; you don't want to get mold spores into your lungs either. I use a rubber one that circular N95 filters fit into. It is smaller than a respirator.
I also figure the dust mask under my face shield will act as a shock absorber for my nose if a chunk of wood ever hits my face shield.
After you use if for a while it becomes less of a nuisance than it seemed at first.
Billh
You could be allergic to the proteins in the antler. It's sort of like cartilage. Friend of mine breaks out every year when skinning out - dander, in his case - which doesn't stop him from hunting.
If you are making dust, protect yourself. Collect it or bar it with a mask or, when using some of the real sneezers, both.
As I recall, and the memory may be failing- antler is similar in structure to bone (or was that fingernails?). It probably isn't toxic to the extent of some of the things found in most shops, but the dust can certainly be an irritant; both for respiratory system, and skin.
Wear a particulate mask or respirator. It's easier to PREVENT crap from getting into the lungs than it is to get it OUT once it's there.
Hello Bill,
Welcome to world of woodturning. Here is a couple of sites that may give you some of the information that you want.
I never became allergic, but my lungs started to feel heavy.
So I now use a box fan with four 3m filtrete filters in parallel and wear a dust mask to clean the air.
I would use a dust collector with fine bags or a cartridge filter, but I run on a solar/generator system and have to keep my total power demand down. A
1 horsepower dust collector plus my drill sander and lathe would be too much.Derek
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.