What to do if you inhale a lot of metal dust?

flatgrinder

flatgrinder

Joined
Dec 20, 2005
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I usually grind in an empty 1 bedroom of my apartment and with a bucket of water under the grinder, there isn't usually a lot of dust.

However, I did something really stupid today. I used an angle grinder with a flap disk to resurface an old cast iron skillet, it also had a nasty layer of carbon on it (just thought I'd do something nice for the wife) and before I knew it my sinus was burning and my throat felt really raw.

Anyone else have this happen to them? And what are you supposed to do afterwards?

Maybe I should just stay away from the skillets and stick to knives ;)

I really need a filter and a mask.
 
A mask is a neccesity!!!Don't delay and go out and get yourself one asap.You can die from lung disorders related to metal dust,as well as any dust.Paw Paw Wilson died last year due to vanadium poisoning.
 
IIRC Paw Paw Wilson died of zinc poisoning. Zinc fumes are toxic and he was welding a laarge amount of galvanized steel.
 
Don't get a "mask". Get an organic vapor respirator, the type that take two cartridges, also get the adapter and dust filters to go with it, that will allow the cartridges to last longer. After cleaning, when done, store it in a zip loc bag to make the cartridges last even longer.

If you are going to be grinding micarta or any other phenolic resin material, get dual rated cartridges. Organic vapor/formaldehyde. But you really have no business grinding stuff like that in an apartment.
The dust you can't see stays airborne for a long time and you could easily hurt your wife and children, if you have any.

If you grind certain exotic woods, you could be risking all your lives.

I'm not even going to go into the health hazards to those that may occupy that apartment after you leave.:eek:
 
Don't bother with the mask. Get you a good respirator. Something with a filter just for toxins and organic matter preferably.

STR
 
Yep, either a respirator, or look forward to dragging a bottle of oxygen around with you all the time, so you can breathe...
Maybe some pain-killers for the cancer, too...
Dust stays in the air for hours.
It's that really small stuff that lingers in the air that goes deep into your lungs.
Don't think the air is clean just because you can't see the dust floating around in the air, because it's still there.
Get your butt to the store and get a respirator, as everyone else has said.
 
never ever grind or sand without protection. its just plain stupid i have seen many who think they are less of a man if they use protection i look at it like this life is short to start with and unless you are on a suicide mission why shorten your life by not protecting yourself. if you think just because you got away with it the first time your safe your wrong it will sneak up on you.. so be safe and use a respirator and eye protection.
 
Thanks for all the tips. I'm going to grind on the balcony with a dual cartridge respirator from now on. I'll also get someone to steam clean the carpet tomorrow too. I've had a headache all afternoon and every time I blow my nose pieces of rusty iron are present.
 
If you do grind indoors, and you don't have a good exhaust fan, then you should get a good shop air filter. For a small bedroom, one of the smaller portables should do. Your filter should be able to recycle all the air in the room at least 6-10 times per hour, and have a micron filter.
 
cough a lot .

mostly it's the fiberglass in the disc that irratates the sinus.

old weldors been doing it for years. no mask that is.
ever see a really old weldor?
Most of em are gone when they reach their 60's
 
This thread reminds me...

Who was that guy in here that used to call himself Black Boogers? That was ages ago. He still around, perhaps in another identity?

Incidentally, my personal guage of how well I have been protecting my health is whether or not there is discolored bits in the hankie after I am done for the day. Ears, eyes, lungs. Gotta keep 'em clean and safe. :D :thumbup:
 
I can't believe you took a seasoned cast iron pan and ground it out:confused:
now you'll have to season it all over again..:)

I think the disk did you more harm :(
you'll live this time but don't push it..:D
 
Hey Higgy, one of the few times I ever saw my wife get really mad....was when I left a sticky black booger in the shower and she stepped on it. :eek:
 
Is it insanity to take off my resperator after an hour of grinding, and light up a cigarette? I wonder which is worse....grinding dust or what I voluntarily inhale each day.
 
Sweany said:
Hey Higgy, one of the few times I ever saw my wife get really mad....was when I left a sticky black booger in the shower and she stepped on it. :eek:
Click to expand...
I'll bet she didn't say,, Oh booger :D
 
TikTock said:
Is it insanity to take off my resperator after an hour of grinding, and light up a cigarette? I wonder which is worse....grinding dust or what I voluntarily inhale each day.
Click to expand...


Just drill a hole in the facepiece so you can epoxy a cigarette holder in place. You can then fire up at will and get the best results of the toxic waste floating on the air, by burning and inhaling it, along with the smoke.

Works especially well when grinding Micarta.
 
Thanks for all the advice!

I setup a squirrel cage which has an inlet tube going to a large "funnel" under the grinder. The outlet blows all the dirt outside. I also got a respirator. Hopefully, no more headaches after grinding!!
 
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