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Lung Protection when mowing?

#1

55TBird

55TBird

Yesterday while mowing I had a bit of a coughing fit. Usually, it isn't until later in the Summer when I'm making clouds of dirt that I've been bothered by my lungs and eyes.
For my eyes, I've tried foam-backed motorcycle style goggles but I can't stand them. Perhaps I can find foam-backed safety goggles that don't strap around my head.

As for my lungs, I do worry about how much I breathe in, both dust and tiny clippings. I really don't think I could stand wearing a respirator. I have one I wear when using a paint sprayer and it makes me claustrophobic.
Even those little white masks annoy me and make my glasses fog up.

I'd like to hear if breathing dirt bothers you much and if there is anything you do that is not too uncomfortable.

For you pro's, does OSHA require you to wear protective gear or provide it to employees?


#2

cpurvis

cpurvis

Don't breathe through your mouth as there is no filtering in that air intake. Think of it as a bypass only. Us old geezers tend to get all slack-jawed--I see them with mouths gaping all the time.

Mow with dew on the grass. Not generally a good idea for quality mowing but reduces the amount of airborne goodies.


#3

TonyPrin

TonyPrin

I'd consider a bandana like the bad guys in old westerns.


#4

reynoldston

reynoldston

I have never notice dusty conditions when mowing grass except around my gravel drive way in the summer season. Not enough dust to cause any problems. Where I run into trouble is with hay fever when there is a lot of pollen in the air. I just work through it the best I can and take allergy pills after which puts me in a sleepy mode.


#5

Boobala

Boobala

Well fella's I see it like this ... NOW , that I'm 70+ ...and I'm on the downhill run of my life and NOT wanting
to become a burden on my family ... I TRY to look at what's left ...this way , I'm here for a good time,... NOT a long time !


#6

reynoldston

reynoldston

Boobala said:
Well fella's I see it like this ... NOW , that I'm 70+ ...and I'm on the downhill run of my life and NOT wanting
to become a burden on my family ... I TRY to look at what's left ...this way , I'm here for a good time,... NOT a long time !
Click to expand...

Well I am on the back side of my 70's and I say save as much as you can. Nothing wrong with saving your lungs. I have never smoked and now seeing people that I know that are younger then me smoking and having a lot of heath problems and some of them have died. So if the dust brothers you I say do something about it. SAVE YOUR LUNGS BECAUSE YOU NEED THEM


#7

Boobala

Boobala

reynoldston said:
Well I am on the back side of my 70's and I say save as much as you can. Nothing wrong with saving your lungs. I have never smoked and now seeing people that I know that are younger then me smoking and having a lot of heath problems and some of them have died. So if the dust brothers you I say do something about it. SAVE YOUR LUNGS BECAUSE YOU NEED THEM
Click to expand...

I'm in agreement about the smoking,... it has caused most of the medical problems I now have to live with ... mostly
clogged arteries resulting in P.A.D. ...YES from smoking ... but then I partied ALL my life too! I really did'nt expect to see 30 when I went into the service . Had I known I was going to live this long...I would have taken MUCH better care of myself ...!!!

...:mur: ..:ban: ..:thumbdown:


#8

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

Get one of these masks: http://wolfsnout.com/

Better than a paper mask, not as heavy and clunky as a respirator. The under nose design prevents it from fogging​ up your glasses. The guys over at Lawnsite love them. https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/wolfsnout.416819/


#9

B

bertsmobile1

Rule of thumb.
If you can see it your nose can filter it out or you lungs can handle it.
It is the stuff that is too fine to be seen that is a problem.
Grass dust is organic, your body is organic, it can deal with it.
Coughing is one of the natural ways it manages dust.

OTOH if you are driving in dust clouds when mowing, you are mowing way too low


#10

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

I create huge dust clouds when mowing at 4 inches. I use Oregon Gator G6 blades and the dust they create is horrendous, especially on a yard with little grass. When we get some rain, things should improve.


#11

55TBird

55TBird

primerbulb120 said:
Get one of these masks: http://wolfsnout.com/

Better than a paper mask, not as heavy and clunky as a respirator. The under nose design prevents it from fogging​ up your glasses. The guys over at Lawnsite love them. https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/wolfsnout.416819/
Click to expand...

Thank you PrimerBulb....that's what I'm talking about. That looks like something I could wear and live with. Side benefit: I'll look like a wolf! (Or a pig.)

As for dirt clouds, I live in the country and there always ends up being places where there are dirt patches. My son loves to do donuts with the Gator and tear the heck out of the yard when it is muddy in the Spring or Winter. Or people turn around in the yard and spin their tires in the mud and all that stuff ends up as dirt patches in the dry Summer. Also, places under trees where the grass just never gets thick. Whatever, I could mow at 5 inches and still kick up lots of dirt. My lower legs and feet are covered after I mow.

I think this Wolf mask may be just the thing.

Attachments





#12

B

bertsmobile1

Dust filter.jpg

You could try one of these , nice & soft but SWMBO might just ask where you got it from.


#13

reynoldston

reynoldston

bertsmobile1 said:
View attachment 32167

You could try one of these , nice & soft but SWMBO might just ask where you got it from.
Click to expand...

Do you think the neighbors would notice? It sure gave me a good chuckle:laughing:


#14

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

55TBird said:
Thank you PrimerBulb....that's what I'm talking about. That looks like something I could wear and live with. Side benefit: I'll look like a wolf! (Or a pig.)

As for dirt clouds, I live in the country and there always ends up being places where there are dirt patches. My son loves to do donuts with the Gator and tear the heck out of the yard when it is muddy in the Spring or Winter. Or people turn around in the yard and spin their tires in the mud and all that stuff ends up as dirt patches in the dry Summer. Also, places under trees where the grass just never gets thick. Whatever, I could mow at 5 inches and still kick up lots of dirt. My lower legs and feet are covered after I mow.

I think this Wolf mask may be just the thing.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly! I have several yards that are basically dirt with some weeds growing out of it. The dust clouds are awful! :eek:


#15

55TBird

55TBird

bertsmobile1 said:
View attachment 32167

You could try one of these , nice & soft but SWMBO might just ask where you got it from.
Click to expand...


I think there is probably a matching pair of ear protectors for that mask....but the straps are hard to undo one-handed.


#16

B

bertsmobile1

No comment :ashamed:


#17

7394

7394

:laughing:


#18

I

ILENGINE

Be careful about breathing that dust. especially if you are having problems with it. In my area dry grass or hay can contain a fungus that has been linked to fungal pneumonia.


#19

turbofiat124

turbofiat124

55TBird said:
Yesterday while mowing I had a bit of a coughing fit. Usually, it isn't until later in the Summer when I'm making clouds of dirt that I've been bothered by my lungs and eyes.
For my eyes, I've tried foam-backed motorcycle style goggles but I can't stand them. Perhaps I can find foam-backed safety goggles that don't strap around my head.

As for my lungs, I do worry about how much I breathe in, both dust and tiny clippings. I really don't think I could stand wearing a respirator. I have one I wear when using a paint sprayer and it makes me claustrophobic.
Even those little white masks annoy me and make my glasses fog up.

I'd like to hear if breathing dirt bothers you much and if there is anything you do that is not too uncomfortable.

For you pro's, does OSHA require you to wear protective gear or provide it to employees?
Click to expand...

I have to use those white 3M dust masks during the dry season or when mulching leaves in the fall. I kick up quite a dust bowel. Otherwise I'm blowing black stuff out of my nose at bedtime.

I work in a chemical plant so we have all sorts of masks we have. You can get those comfo masks with replaceable dust filters like this one:

3m-6291-main_1.jpg


But I found the disposable 3M masks with the yellow bands are way more comfortable.

The other alternative I've done in the past is to take an old T-shirt and cut it and wrap it over my mouth and tie it in a knot behind my neck.


#20

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

turbofiat124 said:
I have to use those white 3M dust masks during the dry season or when mulching leaves in the fall. I kick up quite a dust bowel. Otherwise I'm blowing black stuff out of my nose at bedtime.

I work in a chemical plant so we have all sorts of masks we have. You can get those comfo masks with replaceable dust filters like this one:

3m-6291-main_1.jpg


But I found the disposable 3M masks with the yellow bands are way more comfortable.

The other alternative I've done in the past is to take an old T-shirt and cut it and wrap it over my mouth and tie it in a knot behind my neck.
Click to expand...

You've got to try one of those Wolfsnout masks. It's as comfortable as a 3M disposable mask, but it won't fog your glasses and it won't collapse if it gets moist.


#21

7394

7394

FWIW: the smiley face I posted was in reference to the pic of the guy with girlie undies on his head.

I take breathing seriously, even when mowing my lil piece of the world. The wolfsnout mask I'm gonna check out. Thanks.


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