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guven

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I was wondering , Are you guys using dust mask? because when I was using my blower most of time soil dust,mulch dust ,leaf dust every where.I think I am getting alot of dust in my lungs.Do you think lawn care operator can live shorter then the office guys?Bye the way how about gloves.Are you using gloves every time?
thanks
 
#3 ·
Liquidfast said:
I use a 3M N95 mask in the heavily dense pollen areas. I don't need it when I use the blower. I have asthma and have been hospitalized (I believe) due to the pollen I take in. Gloves...no. Unless I am spraying.
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Does it not get hot? I have bad allergies and after a few yards, I'm a mess so I was thinking of using a mask but I figured it would be really hot on my face..
 
#4 ·
Don't use a mask but if I stir a dust cloud, I'll hold my breath until I ride thru it.

Gloves I wear. Cuts down on some vibration and gives a better grip than sweaty hands, especially with the trimmer.
 
#5 ·
cessnasovereign said:
Does it not get hot? I have bad allergies and after a few yards, I'm a mess so I was thinking of using a mask but I figured it would be really hot on my face..
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Not only that but could imagine what kind of tan lines that would leave on your face.:laugh:

I have used one in the fall mulching leaves but not for just mowing.
 
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#6 ·
Even if you don't see the dust you're still inhailing it and I believe it will build up in your lungs. If I don't use a mask at the end of the day I will blow mud and sometimes blood out of my nose. Using a mask has also helped decrease my allergies. Before I used a mask my allergies were getting worse each season but once I started with a mask they have been getting better each year. I wear a dusk mask with an exhaust valve most of the year, not during wet winters, even in + 100* weather. As for gloves they come on as soon as I step off the truck.
 
#8 ·
Man it used to never bother me but today I am afraid of breathing dust, I inhaled larger quantities of it earlier this year and got sick as a dog! I had a fever, runny nose and a bad cough for like 2 weeks I felt rough (thou the first 2-3 days were the worst).

Come to find out, dust can kill you. Yes, literally, dead... Way I remember feeling, I don't doubt it anymore.

Mask? No way, if I even think I'm going to be around that stuff, I'm wearing either a respirator or a gas mask, funny as it may sound, after the way I got earlier this year, I don't take no chances with the dust anymore. If it's just a cloud here and there, I hold my breath.
Yeah, it does have to be a LOT of dust, if it's just some clouds, I can maneuver with it so I don't breathe it in, in between breaths.

National Geographic recently had an article about a farmer, now wears a thousand-dollar battery-powered full-cover respirator after some dust from barley made him sick, that stuff is rough I tell you.

Here's the thread I left about that (it got made fun of, but I am dead serious):
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=142668
 
#9 ·
Holding your breath thru dust could actually do more harm than good. See, mold spores are sometimes present during heavy leaf season and that could lead to serious trouble. I dont mind the mask nor the tan line. I honestly dont wear it 24/7, only when I am around heavily dense wooded areas or areas with lots of pollen etc. Maybe 2 hours of the day. I love the 3M N95 mask cuz it blocks 98% of anything airborne (not vapours though). This mask is used if SARS breaks out or some other airborne diseases so for me, I trust it.
 
#10 ·
I need to get some dust masks with the exhaust valve like Triple R mentioned.
I have this one property that takes a lot of backpack blowing. By the time I'm thru with it it's like I've been hit with tear gas! Coughing, choking, nose runs and eyes crying. They live in a woods so I figure it's molds & pollens. Just this one property though.
I have a rubber mask I wear when grinding blades, but there's no way I could wear that out on the job. It's just too hot plus it's black rubber. I'd cook!

Dave
 
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#11 ·
I will always wear a mask when mulching in leaf season and if we go through a lengthy period with no rain. The red clay in these mountains can really put out a dust cloud when dry. Best masks (and cheapest) for me are the surgical type that you can buy by the box from medical supply companies. These are extremely light and not too hot. Use them once and throw it away.
 
#15 ·
I wear a mask sometimes in the fall when doing leaves. And I wear gloves when I need to.
 
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#16 ·
Frankly, I woul dbe happy if someone came out with a full face helmet (lightweight) that had a built in filter, googles, noise supression and worktunes. Right now I wear scott goggles with my work tunes but I'm trying to figure out how t work in a mask as well. Some of the rag-bag lco's might look at me funny, but I have a finger answer for them if they give me any crap.:nono:
 
#17 ·
I have a AO safety respirator that I use if any properties start putting out some dust when being cut. I could care less about people looking at me funny as for tan lines just use some SPF 8 before you put on the mask...duh. Its funny how this stuff works though; I can see myself cutting a lawn with the respirator on and a homeowner cutting his next to me. When both are done he looks at me funny and then makes a smart ass comment right, just after that comment he begins to cough heavily and choke on the 3lbs of dust he just inhaled. Which looks dummer?
 
#18 ·
john_incircuit said:
We are using the 3M 8511 and 3M 9211 for a while now. THey have an exhaust valve which makes a huge different and are just under $2 each when you buy them by the box.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=3804

Makes a big time difference.

John
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I decided to try them since I'm looking for a mask that will fit better than the non vented type. But, if you use the jamestown site they are near $3 each bought by the box. They say "we only charge our true shipping costs plus $2.50"

They charged me $9.41 to ship 10 paper masks!

If you want these masks buy them from another site. Just do a search for "3m 8511" or "3m 9211" and there are plenty of honest sites.
 
#19 ·
no dust masks, but i wish i could find something other than lab goggles to keep it out of my eyes. by the end of the day even eye drops stop helping. i ususally have to stand under the shower and flush my eyes that way which really sucks.
 
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#20 ·
Brendan Smith said:
no dust masks, but i wish i could find something other than lab goggles to keep it out of my eyes. by the end of the day even eye drops stop helping. i ususally have to stand under the shower and flush my eyes that way which really sucks.
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I hear ya...
Two years ago I started wearing goggles. I found some in a Military surplus store. They were designed to be used while using a paintball gun. They did the trick. This year I switched to the same goggles I wear while riding my ATV. Scott makes them and they go for about 30-40 bucks. Your eyes will never feel better. I can mow all day long and my eyes are dust free.
Are they hot? Na...not really. :headphones: Make sure you get the adult size!
Image
 
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