Dust inhalation

[Licking windows]

As for today's dangers I for the life of me can't understand how MDF (Medium Density Fibre Board) is sold let alone used in almost every door frame of every new home :8 :8 :8 it is horrible stuff.
Why do you say that? MDF is "made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure". I can't think of anything dangerous related to wood fibres, although one should always keep any dust out of your lungs.

Hi goldierocks
Jaros makes a very valid point!
Why is it still being used as a building material in oz when it is banned in other countries that are switched on to the dangers?
There are dedicated mdf cutting rooms on building sites with strict guidelines on safety for a reason :Y:
Being a chippy myself ( not on the tools these days) I appreciate how easy mdf is to work with as well as the great results achieved when a couple of coats of gloss are applied to skirts, arch,s and jambs ect but one has to ask are the potential dangers worth this risk we are taking? I dont know exactly how much research this country of ours has done on mdf and its health effects but it is banned elsewhere for a reason! And while commercial sites try and minimise exposure its the domestic tradies that are at the greatest potential risk as they cut it, route it, plane it all in enclosed rooms and the majority not wearing masks :N:
The actual builders dont give a rats ass as they just want volume :N: So do we have a potential ticking time bomb on our hands???

 

[RM Outback]

As for today's dangers I for the life of me can't understand how MDF (Medium Density Fibre Board) is sold let alone used in almost every door frame of every new home :8 :8 :8 it is horrible stuff.
Why do you say that? MDF is "made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure". I can't think of anything dangerous related to wood fibres, although one should always keep any dust out of your lungs.

So tell us what you know of the dangers faced by prospectors in the capacity that we operate in such as what we might be exposed to. this is the question I asked after my comment about MDF. As for why it should be banned if you've worked with it you are exposing yourself to harm, same as asbestos in my book once friable you are in danger. And another reason I detest it is its a pain to fit anything to it.

 

[Mr Magoo]

First job when I left school at 16 was for a small building company. One of the first jobs I was on was to put a roof on this shed/garage. The owner had stipulated that he didn't want an asbestos roof. At 16 I had no idea about asbestos and had no idea why the owner was being so fussy.
My job was to use the grinder and cut off all the corners on all of the sheeting which said "WARNING ASBESTOS". No PPE what so ever.
I still think 'you p*****!' to this day.
No doubt I will be fine but the thought he was willing to sacrifices someones health and go against someones wish's, just for a $ is somewhat annoying.

 

[Licking windows]

First job when I left school at 16 was for a small building company. One of the first jobs I was on was to put a roof on this shed/garage. The owner had stipulated that he didn't want an asbestos roof. At 16 I had no idea about asbestos and had no idea why the owner was being so fussy.
My job was to use the grinder and cut off all the corners on all of the sheeting which said "WARNING ASBESTOS". No PPE what so ever.
I still think 'you p*****!' to this day.
No doubt I will be fine but the thought he was willing to sacrifices someones health and go against someones wish's, just for a $ is somewhat annoying.

Where have ya been Mr Magoo? layful:

 

[Mr Magoo]

Just chillin', watching from the side lines so to speak. Some 'interesting' theory's put forward though. layful: I'm sure something will come along to get me poking my finger hard at this keyboard. ]

Concrats on the new member by the way. :Y: erfect: :cake: I had you down as a young fella. I guess about as young as me then.

 

[Licking windows]

Just chillin', watching from the side lines so to speak. Some 'interesting' theory's put forward though. layful: I'm sure something will come along to get me poking my finger hard at this keyboard. ]

Concrats on the new member by the way. :Y: erfect: :cake: I had you down as a young fella. I guess about as young as me then.

Thanks Mr Magoo , we are enjoying every minute of it. :Y:
Yeah Im old enough to know better and still young enough to do it all again ( I hope)
Back on topic, have you been getting regular chest x- rays as has been suggested in this topic as a result of the exposure you received?

 

[Mackka]

Very informative subject.
I did hear that our own ceiling cavities are toxic with black dust which is also highly flammable.
Can anyone confirm?
Mackka

 

[Mr Magoo]

Back on topic, have you been getting regular chest x- rays as has been suggested in this topic as a result of the exposure you received?

I have, but not because of that. And all fine. Don't really think about it to be honest. :Y:

 

[Goldfreak]

Next door to my depot there used to be a boat refurbishing mob. They worked in a cloud of epoxy and fibre glass dust all day. None of them had masks on and they laughed non stop. Wonder if they where getting high off that stuff ? Interest comment by redfin about the trains leaving asbestos dust on the sleepers. Didnt think of that.

 

[Bjay]

They were definitely getting high off the fumes. We had some guys at work a couple of years ago applying a corrocoat coating(essentially glass shards in a epoxy resin) these blokes were good fellas but totally off there chops. And thougherly enjoying life while it lasted.

 

[user 4386]

The questions are- WHY is it in these and are they allowed in Australia.

Yes the EPA has permitted them. A bit strange given that we usually follow EU and USA practice.

 

[user 4386]

As for today's dangers I for the life of me can't understand how MDF (Medium Density Fibre Board) is sold let alone used in almost every door frame of every new home :8 :8 :8 it is horrible stuff.
Why do you say that? MDF is "made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure". I can't think of anything dangerous related to wood fibres, although one should always keep any dust out of your lungs.

Hi goldierocks
Jaros makes a very valid point!
Why is it still being used as a building material in oz when it is banned in other countries that are switched on to the dangers?
There are dedicated mdf cutting rooms on building sites with strict guidelines on safety for a reason :Y:
Being a chippy myself ( not on the tools these days) I appreciate how easy mdf is to work with as well as the great results achieved when a couple of coats of gloss are applied to skirts, arch,s and jambs ect but one has to ask are the potential dangers worth this risk we are taking? I dont know exactly how much research this country of ours has done on mdf and its health effects but it is banned elsewhere for a reason! And while commercial sites try and minimise exposure its the domestic tradies that are at the greatest potential risk as they cut it, route it, plane it all in enclosed rooms and the majority not wearing masks :N:
The actual builders dont give a rats ass as they just want volume :N: So do we have a potential ticking time bomb on our hands???

I checked and it is probably the resin binder that is the hazard, not the fibres

 

[LONEWOLF]

Yes Mackka it can be, but most of the time the dust needs to come from something Flammable, Oh and don't smoke in your roof cavity as that is your ignition source Have a google on 'Dust Explosions'.....

Who would have thought Custard Powder is Explosive... I like how intense the second explosion is..
https://explosiontesting.co.uk/secondary_video_12.html

We don't follow USA safety standards.... If we did, we would be allowed to use a Grinder without a shield on... Perfectly Legal in the US, but a big no-no here


LW...

 

[user 4386]

It caused some catastrophic coal mine explosions (i.e. coal dust not gas).

https://www.livescience.com/6298-coal-mines-explode.html

I think the issue relates that very fine powder has a very large surface area on each particle on which chemical reactions (explosions) can form (catalyse).

 

[LONEWOLF]

Around 1980ish in the US, Boral took a survey of retired workers at their Fiberglass Manufacturing Plant.. They discovered that 87% of Retired workers Died of Lung Related Diseases..... So they increased the micron size of the fibres in the Fibreglass they made, now these fibres won't go down into your lung as far and cause issues was their thinking...

Around 1995 ish an independent report was released re: On the new batch of retired Boral workers and found that over 50% Died of Throat Cancer... But according to US STANDARDS that is Acceptable...

After the report was released, Boral Australia took it upon themselves to increase the size of these fibres Again... Who knows what you will get now...
BUT in small printon the Bags of Insulation we got to wrap our Ducts in, it stated that along with Coffee, Fibreglass 'Could be Carcinogenic'... What tha...

LW...

 

[user 4386]

Yes Mackka it can be, but most of the time the dust needs to come from something Flammable, Oh and don't smoke in your roof cavity as that is your ignition source Have a google on 'Dust Explosions'.....

Who would have thought Custard Powder is Explosive... I like how intense the second explosion is..
https://explosiontesting.co.uk/secondary_video_12.html

We don't follow USA safety standards.... If we did, we would be allowed to use a Grinder without a shield on... Perfectly Legal in the US, but a big no-no here


LW...

I agree that their standards are lower, but that was my point - that despite that we permit some things that they do not.

 

[snafu]

The questions are- WHY is it in these and are they allowed in Australia.

Not sure about those strips listed by Goldierocks being available here in Oz, Jaros, but there is one labelled Killmaster Zero Pest Strip that is available and the active constituent is dichlorvos. This is what the material safety data sheet says about it:

Major Health Hazards: Symptoms of acute exposure to organophosphate or cholinesterase-inhibiting compounds
may include numbness, tingling sensations, incoordination, headache, dizziness, tremor, nausea, abdominal cramps,
sweating, blurred vision, difficulty breathing or respiratory depression, slow heartbeat. Very high doses may result in
unconsciousness, incontinence, and convulsions or fatality. very toxic by inhalation, danger of cumulative effects,
harmful in contact with skin, and if swallowed, possible skin sensitiser. Signs and symptoms associated with mild
exposures to organophosphate and carbamate pesticides include: headache, fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite with
nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhoea; blurred vision associated with excessive tearing; contracted pupils of the
eye; excessive sweating and salivation; slowed heartbeat, often fewer than 50 per minute; rippling of surface muscles
just under the skin. These symptoms may be mistaken for those of flu, heat stroke or heat exhaustion, or upset
stomach. Moderately severe organophosphate and carbamate insecticide poisoning cases exhibit all the signs and
symptoms found in mild poisonings, but in addition, the victim: is unable to walk; often complains of chest discomfort
and tightness; exhibits marked constriction of the pupils (pinpoint pupils); exhibits muscle twitching; has involuntary
urination and bowel movement. Severe poisonings are indicated by incontinence, unconsciousness and seizures.

Scary stuff, but then again, I demonstrate most of those symptoms after a skin-full of Bundy.

All jokes aside, there are some deadly compounds out there that the general public are totally unaware of and it pays to read labels and if not sure, don't use it or if you do have to use it, be bloody careful.

Jeff

 

[LONEWOLF]

Sounds like the new Medication my missus just got....

LW....

 

[Goldtalk Leonora]

Not trying to hijack this important thread.........I never used to worry about dustmasks
or anything like that when operating equipment untill I was working out bush with a geo I have a lot of respect for
and one night we were having a couple of beers around the fire and he told me some of the stuff that can be in the dirt...including
asbestos. It had the desired effect and now I don't operate a machine without s mask on.....best money I have ever spent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBvvPHonXO0