The best mask for gourd artists is the one that solves a major health problem we should not ignore. Let’s get serious and talk about it!
The terrible thing about gourds……
The gourd dust and the interior matter can be toxic to people with respiratory sensitivity.
When you clean, cut, carve, wood burn, or sand gourds you NEED to wear a mask.
This is in bold because you must take this seriously even if you have no known issue with dust!
The best mask for gourd artists will defend you from lung damage.
We all have heard horror stories about gourd artists who have worked with a gourd for a while and then they end up in the hospital with their lungs filled with dust particles. Here are some of the risks:
Asthma– Cutting, scrubbing, drilling, and burning a gourd are going to release fine particulates into the air. These particulates are known as asthma triggers. Continuous exposure to said particulates can trigger an asthma attack.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis– Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is caused by repeated exposure to environmental substances that cause inflammation in the lungs when inhaled. These substances include certain bacteria and mycobacteria – otherwise known as Mold.
Mold formation is not at all uncommon on gourds, and is a necessary part of the gourd curing process, and is key to the formation of unique patterns on the surface. Be aware that as you clean the mold off, you are often releasing small particulates into the air.
Laryngitis/Sinusitis/Rhinitis – a series of respiratory ailments all caused by particulates in the air.
“Gourd Flu” – While not a clinical term, a condition commonly used to express the symptoms related to working with gourd dust and/or mold. Generally, all respiratory – if not corrected quickly, can lead to some very serious conditions.
(Note: This is my friend Marsha modeling the mask for our patch members.)
Here is my recommended …
Best gourd mask for gourd artists!
I tried all the cheap ones and tried on the big ones and they were awful. I have a small face and wear glasses. These things just didn’t work for me over a 2-3-hour period.
So, I ended up with the Half-Size Respirator almost half the bulk of most regular respirators.
The Particle Filters are designed to block particles in the air like gourd dust when you are carving and cleaning the inside of your gourd.
You will find many brands on the market, but I ended up with the one from The Welburn Farm.
Watch their ad video at https://welburngourdfarm.com/products/half-size-respirator
They are offering a special filter for their mask.
They are selling a carbon mask, hence their black color. The Deluxe Wood Burning Filters are made with carbon that purify the air from smoke before it enters your lungs.
They protect from dust particles and they also protect your lungs from smoke produced while wood burning.
These unique filters are not included with the mask but can be purchased separately ($18 for two) and easily attach to your Half-Size Respirator!
This is the only place I have found these filters, so I bought the respirator from them to be sure the filters fitted. The price was around $28. They are sold out as I write this, but you can backorder it. These are priced a little high, but they last me a few months.
If you can’t find this one in you your area, try finding any model of the half-size model that has attachable filters.
How to adjust the Mask to your face
What mask is your favorite and please tell us why?
I know these are hard to find now, but if you find a bargain, please let us know on our Facebook Group page.
Return to the Blog page for other articles.
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and will often come back down the
road. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice
afternoon!
my site; Lithederm Cream
you are truly a excellent webmaster. The site loading pace is
incredible. It sort of feels that you’re doing any distinctive trick.
Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a excellent
process in this subject!
F
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message
home a little bit, but other than that, this is great blog.
An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
Generally I don’t read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this
write-up very forced me to check out and do so!
Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, very nice
article.
Look at my site :: Moscatcher Zapper
I’d perpetually want to be update on new blog posts on this site, saved to
fav!
my blog – The Skin Company Skin Care Reviews
This is the perfect website for anybody who wants
to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to?HaHa).
You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject that has been written about for a long time.
Excellent stuff, just wonderful!
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with
your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly easy to do
to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you
know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who
add forums or something, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate.
Excellent task.
Pingback: Sanding Gourds Takes the Right Tools to Make it Easy
Pingback: Hazards of Gourd Cleaning and Cutting a Gourd