Protective equipment is important for farmers working in dusty conditions. Grain dust, molds, pollen, animal dander, soil dust, welding fumes, and smoky diesel exhaust can cause serious respiratory problems. Although they are less toxic than some chemicals, dusts are suspended in the air, so they can easily enter the lungs and cause damage.
Dust in the lungs short-term can cause physical stress, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Long-term it can cause congestion, coughing or wheezing, dust sensitivity, and infections such as colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Over time, dust exposure can result in such illnesses as farmer's lung, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other irreversible, incurable ailments.
To avoid respiratory problems, farmers should wear a respirator whenever they work in dusty conditions. Respirators may especially be a good choice for those already congested or with breathing problems, those generally bothered by dust, or those concerned about the amount of foreign particles getting into their body.
Air-supplied respirators rarely are used in farming activities. They are relatively expensive and wearers must be trained. But many dusty farm conditions can be improved with an air-purifying respirator that fits over the nose and mouth and uses a filter or cartridge to mechanically remove dust particles from the air.
When selecting a new respirator or evaluating an existing respirator, consider several factors.
(1) All respirators used in farming activities should be approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
(2) Always use a respirator appropriate for the task. Many problems result from using an inappropriate respirator. For example, dust masks will not reduce chemical vapors. A respirator approved for use with chemicals may not filter dust. The specific contaminant for which the respirator is approved is written on the cartridge filter or in the respirator instructions.
(3) Select a properly rated respirator. As part of testing, a respirator is assigned a "protection factor" or PF rating indicating how well it can perform its job. For farming activities always use a respirator with a PF rating of 10 or above.
(4) Make sure the respirator is the proper size and fits well. To function properly, a respirator must form a good seal with the face. Dust slipping through a poor seal goes directly to the lungs. Respirators are available in sizes and designs to fit most faces, but eyeglasses, clothing, and facial hair such as beards or sideburns, can interfere with the seal. All respirators must be fit tested by safety professionals while being worn.
(5) Respirators can be either disposable or non-disposable. Disposable respirators are inexpensive and can be discarded when dirty or when the job is finished; but they can be relatively expensive if protection is required on a regular basis. A better choice for continual needs is a durable model that can be washed and stored after each use.
(6) The wearer of an air-purifying respirator must be in good physical condition. Since wearers breath through a filter, breathing is more difficult and can stress people with heart conditions or respiratory ailments. Always get a physician's approval to wear a respirator.
No respirator can solve all air quality problems. One worn incorrectly is as dangerous as wearing none at all. Wearing a faulty or task-inappropriate respirator may give a false sense of security. Also respirators should not be worn with dust concentrations in the explosive range. If it's too dusty to see your hand at arm's length, it's dusty enough to be explosive. Another danger occurs in toxic environments. Air-purifying respirators do not provide oxygen; air in the working environment must have at least 19.5 percent oxygen. Death can occur in a limited-oxygen environment. And dust-filtering respirators cannot protect wearers in toxic chemical environments such as manure pits, silos, or sludge tanks. Wearing a respirator equipped with a dust filter in these conditions can be fatal.
The use of respirators in day-to-day farm operations may be a new practice for many operators. However, respirators can reduce exposure to farm dust and may prevent serious respiratory problems.
