Wood dust is classified as Nuisance and/or inert dust. The only injuries that result from inhalation are discomfort and minor irritation although large quantities of wood dust can overwhelm the lung's capacity to dispose of them and large deposits in the lungs may produce serious injury. The above are normal reactions; specific allergies or adverse reactions to certain wood dusts can complicate the effects and produce a serious reaction. This is the main reason why some miter saws come equipped with a dust bag, which collects dust and helps keep both your work-area and lungs clean.
Generally speaking, the stains and finishes that woodworkers use can be classified as Organic Vapors, which are organic compounds of carbon. There are literally thousands of organic compounds, but the most common ones used in woodworking are oil stains, solvents, enamels, lacquers, etc.
Organic vapors can cause painful inflammation and increased mucus secretion. Organic Vapor's most dangerous effect is their action as an Anesthetic, which causes partial or complete loss of sensation. Vapor anesthetics depress the central nervous system with the initial effects being mild intoxication, dizziness and loss of coordination. Continued exposure causes unconsciousness, and severe or long exposure may cause respiratory paralysis and death.
Organic Vapors are very serious hazards, yet there have probably been times in all woodworker's experiences when one of the first three initial effects has taken place. This points out the need for safety measures by woodworkers where exposure to either dust or organic vapors is likely to happen. For a small amount of money and the slight inconvenience of wearing a proper fitting mask with the correct filter, all hazardous exposure situations in the woodshop will be met with complete safety.
The Murphy-Rogers
The Murphy-Rogers MRT Dust Collector is a compact system that comes in motor sizes ranging from 1HP to 5HP. The basic configuration, as pictured above, remains the same with only the motor sizes changed. The system can be expanded to accommodate dual bags or even four bags as needed for additional filter area and capacity.
Features:
It is a completely self contained unit which is compact and takes a minimum of floor space. It can be adapted to any woodworking machinery and all models attach to a 55 gallon barrel except for the smallest one, which comes furnished with its own drum. Inlet diameters range from 4 to 9 inches. The blower unit can be attached directly to a machine (such as a wide belt sander) and then the filter bag can be placed at a remote location. A complete line of accessories is available such as gates, cleanout doors, "T" & "Y" connections, etc.
KEI Dust Collector
The KEI line of dust collectors for woodworking are available in two types; a drum dust collector where the user supplies the 55 gallon drum and the cabinet dust collectors.
Features:
The KEI dust collectors come in a wide range of motor sizes (from 1/2HP to 3HP) that can be adapted to any woodworking dust requirement. The hose sizes range from 4 to 6 inches and the collectors are 90% effective in filtering particles 10 microns or larger. All models are equipped with a sound absorbtion gasket and a totally enclosed motor. The cabinet models feature a collection drawer from where the majority of chips and dust are easily removed.
