Health Risks of Sawdust and How to Prevent Them

Posted by Kristen White
8
Jun 29, 2020
170 Views
Sawdust can prove to be a very dangerous substance to work around but with the right dust extractor filter bags suppliers, you can minimize the threat that those tiny particles present. Not many people are aware of the danger presented by the dust and that is why reading this article is helpful.

When you talk to your dust extractor filter bags suppliers, you should make it known to them that you are dealing with fine dust. This will ensure that they provide you with the right filter that can effectively protect you and anyone who is within that area with high volumes of sawdust.

After you read this, you will probably realize the importance of finding trusted industrial dust bags suppliers for your extractor. We will talk more about that later, for now, let us consider the health risks posed by sawdust.

Allergy
Some people are allergic to sawdust and this triggers a reaction once it touches their skin. Sawdust can settle anywhere and that includes the skin. Although the allergic reaction on the skin is rarely life-threatening, it causes severe irritation that includes itchy skin and rushes.
If you inhale the dust, there is also the risk of developing asthma which is an allergic reaction. Even some people who have never had asthma can develop the symptoms of this allergy after repeated exposure.

Your eyes can also be irritated by sawdust. They can become itchy, red, and watery. This can occur either when the dust enters the eyes or even when you inhale it.

Cancer
Scientific studies have pointed out a possible link between lengthy inhalation of sawdust and lung cancer. Although the studies also point out that other factors may play a part in the development of lung cancer, sawdust is also a factor.

It is also believed that sawdust is responsible for the development of nasal and sinus cancers.

Respiratory Problems

The respiratory system is supposed to take in air only so when foreign substances end up in there, they begin to irritate it. This can result in constant production of mucus to try and clear the system; it can also cause itchy throat as well as bacterial infection. There are more respiratory problems that can result from constant exposure to wood dust.

How to Prevent Effects of Sawdust
The first obvious preventive measure would be to wear protective gear every time you are in an area with a high concentration of wood dust. A face mask will prevent the dust from going into your airways while goggles will protect the eyes from the dust. It would be wise to wear clothing that covers your skin which includes the arms and legs. Wearing gloves is also advised.

A more important prevention strategy would be to invest in an extractor. This will suck up the dust particles in the air and with the help of a quality filter bag, it can trap the dust in there. Remember to get a filter that can trap fine dust.

Conclusion
Despite the threat posed by sawdust, with the right safety procedures, you can avoid being affected by the health risks mentioned above. Many workshops have invested in extractors and protective gear that keep them healthy.
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