Wood dust and COPD : Thanks everyone... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,314 members66,940 posts

Wood dust and COPD

Crankshaft profile image
7 Replies

Thanks everyone for your advice regarding prednisone and the flu jab. It put my mind at ease. Just like to share how I got COPD. I am an engineer who is still working a bit 75 yrs old and smoke as did my father and grandfather who lived into their to 96 and 90 . About 3 yew ago I was working on a vehicle which carried woodchip . This material was recycled within the vehicle and had turned into an ultra fine dust. I opened a valve by mistake and was sprayed on the face with this dust . It had a spray effect and immediately had me caught on my chest I have been on all sorts of inhalers since and still smoke about 20 a day. Just couldn't put myself through quitting at my age. Just thought I would share in case anyone else has work which has wood dust exposure. Thanks again to you all.

Written by
Crankshaft profile image
Crankshaft
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
7 Replies
Billiejean_2 profile image
Billiejean_2

With smoking 20 a day, you'ld probably have ended up with COPD anyway but good tip about the wood dust.

2greys profile image
2greys

Hi, It is never too late to quit smoking, it is THE best thing you can do to slow down the progression of this nasty disease.

I am a production engineer and still working full-time at 67, I have severe copd, please try to quit, being breathless every time you do anything is no joke, it is torturous. Change over to vaping if you cannot quit.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees

What bad luck to have that happen to you. I think you've just answered your question in your other post about your father and grandfather not getting copd. Copd is caused by other things besides cigarettes. There is a high incidence of copd in African tribal areas from particulate matter where cooking is done on wood stoves. There has been recent publicity about pollution caused by wood burners in london. I know yours was caused by unlit dust but it makes me wonder if there's something in wood which is a threat. But then all dust is a threat. About 20% of those with copd have never smoked but contracted it from work or environmental pollution so thanks for sharing your experience.

Do wish you could see your way to quitting - or as 2greys says, changing over to vaping.

Time_2_drink profile image
Time_2_drink

Agree with O2 and 2greys. Stop smoking at least try use a vape good luck

knitter profile image
knitter

Sawdust is one of my youngest daughter's asthma triggers .

lKeith profile image
lKeith

Crankshaft

I noted with interest your post about wood dust. I worked in the shopfitting industry where MDF is used a lot, each time I went on site the dust from the MDF went straight to my chest, I tried a mask but my glasses steamed up so I gave up trying to stop it getting into my chest.I now have severe emphysema brought on partly with Asbestos dust, MDF dust and the worst of all smoking. Everything has come to a halt, the smokes had to go and the shopfitting work had to stop. I am struggling with the smallest of tasks and even walking is an effort.

You have learned not to play with with valves now give up smoking, lung disease cannot be reversed and at our ages getting treatment of any true value is pointless. Don't wait any longer give it up whilst you still have lungs that work.

IKeith

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47

Thanks Crankshaft for your share. I smoked heavily until 14 years ago. I am 70 with severe COPD/Emphysema and 23% lung capacity. I owned and worked hands on in my own furniture business for 20 years and never wore a mask when I almost daily sanded wood of all descriptions for all sorts of reasons. I also used wax and other toxic finishes again never using a mask. Well how can you use a mask when you are smoking? I was a bronchial asthmatic to start with as a child. That's how I got mine. I have found ceasing the cigs very beneficial and not as difficult as i thought it was going to be. Best of luck.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Update on DUST:)

Today was a great day and those in other regions especially the UK will think I am crazy:) We have...
andyrrc profile image

Medication for COPD

According to the doctor i have COPD with asthma threw in for good measure . I find myself having...
Crankshaft profile image

copd

Hi, everyone I have just come across this ,so this is the first time for me.I have COPD and have...
carson profile image

COPD

Hi not been posting but still look and answer some things if i can on here If you look back at my...
music profile image

Worried about asbestos exposure and dust left in house

Hi, we recently realised that a ceiling we sanded part of (1x1 metre) and which continued to...
Anon12314 profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.