Does The 3M Sanding Mask Irritate Your Throat?

[x071907]

I wanted to put this question on the rec to find out if anyone has been experiencing the same issue with the 3M 8511, N95 dusk mask for woodworking & sanding. Over the past couple of months I have been working in the garage alot and wearing the dusk mask mentioned above. During this time period I have been experiencing an irritation in my troat. The feeling I get is like I have a dry spot on my throat that doesn't go away after I drink alot of water. I stopped wearing the mask for a couple of days and the symptoms went away. Just today I had to sand something and I put the dust mask on for 30 minutes or so. Sure enough I had the same symptoms again.

Does anyone else have the same issues with this dusk mask?

[Bay Area Dave]

that's all I use and have no problems. I have asthma. Perhaps you are breathing through your mouth when using the masks? That'll dry your mouth out.

dave

x071907 wrote:

[Bay Area Dave]

I meant dry out your mouth and throat.

Bay Area Dave wrote: snip That'll dry your

[JohnV]

I did'nt experience the problem you are having but found them to be ill fitting. I use a mask from Drager International (Piccola N95 with Valve) About the same price and way better as far as I'm concerned. Don't know where you will find them though. You may have to google or ask around. Maybe surgical supply...

[Paul in MN]

I'm not sure about that mask, but if you find it irritates, you may want to try one of the fume type respirators ( AO etc) with dust cartridges on them. I find they tend to keep a moister atmosphere to breathe. (If that makes any sense) I think it is the way the rubber holds the moisture from your breath. Just a thought....

[jegan]

I have one of the 3M Respirators (not a dust mask) with filter cartridges and filters that can be replaced. Each time I finish for the day I put a quick squirt of Lysol spray in there. It likely kills what germs might be in there and keeps it from developing any odd smell. No throat problems at all.

-- Jim

[J T]

Sun, Apr 4, 2004, 1:14pm (EDT-3) [e-mail] (jegan) says: filters that can be replaced. Each time I finish for the day I put a quick squirt of Lysol spray in there. It likely kills what germs might be in there and keeps it from developing any odd smell. No throat problems at all.

I wouldn't use a mask, they never fit well. I believe mine is from Ace, with replaceable filters, the only way to go. I always wipe mine out after use, never have any odors, or throat problems.

JOAT Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.

[Lou]

replying to x071907, Lou wrote: Same symptoms . I drink warm fluids and maybe a cough drop . Even a shot of alcohol to help soothe the throat .

[Sonny]

Start your drinking before woodworking and you won't notice the symptoms.

As to his mask problems, 16 yrs ago, it's not rocket science to properly fi t a dust mask on one's face. Also, might be the wood he was working with. Some lumbers' resin/internal chemicals have a degree of toxicity about th em, especially for sensitive folks. I find catalpa especially irritating.

Sonny

[Clare Snyder]

That's why I sold all my woodworking shop tools -oak and birch would almost kill me. Walnut too. I still have my hand power tools - I can use them outdoors and not get too much dust. A normal mask didn't quite do the job

[J. Clarke]

Try an air supplied respirator. Basically a simple mask and a long hose with a fan or blower on one end pulling from an area far from the shop. Unfortunately they're amazingly expensive for what they are.

Not that you're going to find one right now.

[Clare Snyder]

I wasn't doing that much wood work anyway - not enough room in the garage for the woodworking tools , the metal lathe, and all the other stuff> Gotta get rid of a lot of it - a lot off stuff I had for building the plane. Since that project is dead O can get rid of someof that stuff.

[Puckdropper]

Clare Snyder wrote in news: [e-mail]:

What happened with the airplane project?

Puckdropper