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Pro tip: don't cheap out on your respirator cartridges
I mean, I knew I should wear a mask when grinding, but I kept buying the cheap, off-brand P100 cartridges for my half-mask. They were like $8 for a pair, and I figured they were fine. Last month, I was working on a big batch of forged hooks, grinding for maybe three hours straight. I woke up the next day feeling like I had a bad cold, my chest was tight, and I was coughing up grey stuff. Doctor said it was likely metal dust irritation. I spent over $200 on the visit and meds. I switched to the good 3M ones, which cost about $25, but man, the difference is night and day. No smell, no dust taste, and my lungs feel clear. Has anyone else had a scare like that and found a specific cartridge they trust?
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henry_martin566mo ago
Yeah, that's a rough lesson to learn the hard way. Your story about coughing up grey stuff is seriously scary, makes my own chest feel tight just reading it. It's crazy how you don't notice the cheap ones failing until it's too late. Spending that money on the doctor definitely makes the pricier cartridges feel worth it. Glad you figured it out before it turned into something even worse.
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