Dust Protection Options for Scrollsawers
The last few years have certainly been interesting since 2020. For instance, it all began with a coronavirus pandemic and a toilet paper shortage. Murder hornets came next, then riots in the big cities. After that came locust swarms in the Middle East, wars, solar flares, and even the US government releasing videos of Navy pilots tracking a UFO.
Wait, What? UFOS?
Yep, that’s right. Take the case of the Tic Tac Incident. Wow! As I have said, it sure has been an interesting few years.
Anyway, I digress.
Now, let’s talk about dust protection options for scrollsawers.
What prompted me to look into dust protection?
With all the gripping things happening in the world, the coronavirus pandemic has been one of the biggest news stories of the past few years. Up to the present time that I am writing this, we are now over four years from the beginning of that pandemic.
During the pandemic, the mask appeared, and suddenly, masking became a controversial topic that was very heated at times. The mask debate has calmed down recently, but who knows; it could change in a moment.
Henceforth, I am happy to say that this article will not be controversial because it will be in the context of protecting people from inhaling dust and fumes from wood and finishing products.
Sharing the Information
After the masking controversy, I became curious about using face masks and respirators while woodworking, especially while using my scroll saw.
Consequently, I set out to learn more about dust protection options for scrollsawers. I knew nothing about dust protection when I started to look into this, and the more I looked into it, the more I was surprised by some of the information that I found.
Before I looked into this subject, I had never used any form of dust protection except when cutting up old pallets. And even then, I bought the regular cheap paper masks from the dollar store that didn’t capture as much as I thought or just an old rag used like a handkerchief. In hindsight, they were not wise choices.
To clarify, my goal with this article is to help scrollsawers become aware of the dangers of wood dust. Moreover, I would like to share below what I have found by researching different dust protection options for scrollsawers and making it available to anyone who has thought about this subject. Therefore, you should check out the information in the links below if you engage in the woodworking hobby.
Wood Toxicity
Let’s get started with wood dust and its potential toxicity. Firstly, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines wood dust as any wood particles arising from the processing or handling of woods.
Secondly, wood toxicity is the main reason for using dust protection since it helps to prevent dust from entering the lungs.
Did you know that wood dust can be toxic? I didn’t. For instance, from the informational links below, I found that wood dust is associated with many adverse health effects, including dermatitis, allergic respiratory effects, mucosal and nonallergic respiratory effects, and cancer.
Another example of the information I have found discusses a study that warns that cancer can develop after exposure to many kinds of wood dust in the upper respiratory tract. Wood dust is a known human carcinogen and the wood dust of oak and beech seems to be the most carcinogenic.
Adenocarcinoma is another example of a potential risk and it constitutes about half of the total number of cancers induced by wood dust.
I have found so much information that I couldn’t put it all on one page. Instead, I listed the links to documents and videos from various websites, including several US and other government agencies, with information regarding wood dust and toxicity.
USDA Forest Service
Hardwoods of North America
Softwoods of North America
Wood species toxicity
CDC
Wood Dust
Health Effects of Exposure to Wood Dust and Wood Dust References
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Biological effect of wood dust
Lung function: occupational exposure to wood dust
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Wood Dust
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Wood Dust Hazard Recognition
National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health
Health and Safety Executive (UK)
Wood Dust – What you need to know
Respiratory protective equipment at work
WorkSafe New Zealand
Wood dust: controlling the risks
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
Wood Dust – Health Effects
What are the Effects of Dust on the Lungs?
US Department of Health and Human Services
Report on Carcinogens Wood Dust
Report on Carcinogens Background Document for Wood Dust
The Texas Department of Insurance
Wood Dust Hazards and Controls
The Wood Database
Wood Dust Safety
Wood Allergies and Toxicity
Verywell Health
Wood Dust Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk
Oziom
What Is Wood Dust? Why It Matters, and How to Stay Safe
Wikipedia
Wood Toxicity Charts and Tables
Wood Toxicity Table – by Woodbin Woodworking
TOXIC WOODS CHART – by Mountain Woodworker
Wood Toxicity and Allergen Chart – by DeckWise
Wood Species and their potential toxic effects – by WoodUChoose
Dust and Toxic timbers – by National Association of Woodworkers NZ Inc
Wood Toxicity Table – by Cyclone and Dust Collection Research
Videos with information regarding wood toxicity
Toxic wood | Can wood be toxic? | What types of wood are toxic? | Health hazards with wood – by WooduTV
Toxic Wood – Who Knew? – by Mike Peace Woodturning
RPE – Respiratory Protective Equipment
A paper mask, with one strap, covers the wearer’s nose and mouth and is primarily designed to prevent biological particles from being expelled by the wearer into the environment. Paper masks are disposable and are not approved by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health).
On the other hand, a respirator has two straps that allow the user to fit it snugly over the nose and mouth. A respirator will protect you from much smaller particles than a dust mask. Even though it may look similar, dust masks are not the same as respirators; they are available in disposable and reusable versions with replaceable filters and can be NIOSH-certified with either N95, R95, P100, R100, etc.
What the letters mean:
N = not resistant to oil; used when oil particulates are absent.
R = resistant to oil; used when oil particulates are present, and the filter disposed of after one shift.
P = oil-proof; used when oil particulates are present, the filter used for more than one shift.
What the numbers mean:
The number indicates the minimum efficiency level of the filter of a particle size of 0.3 μm (Micrometre). By comparison, the width of a single human hair is approximately 60 micrometers.
N95, R95, P95 = 95% Minimum Efficiency Level
N99, R99, P99 = 99% Minimum Efficiency Level
N100, R100, P100, HE = 99.97% Minimum Efficiency Level
Filtering Facepiece Respirator (FFR) Labels
Individual filtering facepiece respirators are required to have some markings. The graphic below from the CDC is from a sample of a generic filtering facepiece respirator with appropriate markings.
RPE information
The Difference Between Dust Masks, N95s and Other Respirators – Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America
The differences between masks and respirators – 3M
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) – Advice for workers – WorkSafe New Zealand
Respiratory Protection – NIOSH
NIOSH-Approved Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators – CDC
The Respiratory Protection Information Trusted Source – CDC
Videos with RPE information
A Particle is a Particle – CDC / National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)
This sawdust myth needs to be debunked! – by Stumpy Nubs
Which Dust Mask Should Woodworkers Wear? – by Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
Buying The Right Masks And Respirators – by Training Hands Academy
Shop Tips: Respirators vs. Dust Masks – by Adam Savage’s Tested
Dust Masks For Woodworking, The Many Types – by Artisan Pirate
Conclusion
To summarize, I was surprised by some of the information I found. I did not think that an innocent hobby could be so potentially dangerous. After looking into this subject, I am more determined to use RPE while participating in any woodworking activity.
When choosing Respiratory Protective Equipment, look for NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) certified. You also want something comfortable because you will use it for long periods. For example, I often sit at the scroll saw for several hours at a time, and I can generate a lot of dust.
As a fellow scrollsawer, I am asking you to please use some form of Respiratory Protective Equipment when scrollsawing.
In conclusion, I hope this information has helped answer some questions that you may have had regarding dust protection options for scrollsawers.
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Thank You and Happy Scrolling
Acknowledgements:
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