Drywall
Harmful Dust
Cutting drywall and sanding dried joint compound can expose you to harmful chemicals in the dust. The dust can irritate your respiratory system and cause persistent coughing or difficulty breathing. If the drywall contains silica, long-term exposure can cause cancer or lung diseases.
The Bottom Line. Some drywall (gypsum board) imported in the early 2000s can emit sulfurous gases, resulting in damage to copper wiring and pipes, as well as some human health effects.
When you inhale drywall dust, your body doesn't really have a way to expel it again. It could sit in the lungs for decades, potentially causing a condition called interstitial lung disease.
Wearing a mask or respirator is vital when sanding drywall, as these tools protect your lungs from inhaling fine dust particles, which can lead to respiratory issues.
Over time, breathing the dust from drywall joint compounds may cause persistent throat and airway irritation, coughing, phlegm production, and breathing difficulties similar to asthma. Smokers or workers with sinus or respiratory conditions may risk even worse health problems.
Understanding Drywall Dust Allergies
Individuals exposed to drywall dust may experience symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, skin irritation, and even heightened cold sensitivity.
Lungs are self-cleaning organs that will begin to heal themselves once they are no longer exposed to pollutants. The best way to ensure your lungs are healthy is by avoiding harmful toxins like cigarette smoke, vaping and air pollution, as well as getting regular exercise and eating well.
Whether you're sanding drywall, wood or metal surfaces, reach for the 3M™ Performance Particulate Respirator 8210 for Paint Prep. This N95 respirator features Advanced Electrostatic Media that enhances the capture of airborne particles while allowing for easy breathing.
To help drywall dust move outside, house cleaning professional Raymond Chiu recommends that you “open the windows to allow for ventilation.” Place box fans in the windows so they blow the air out of the room, and tape plastic sheeting around the fans and window frames to seal off the area.
Traditional Shop-Vacs have long been the go-to, but are they really the best vacuum for the job? The short answer is no.
You're fine. A couple hours of dust isn't going to make you sick, the person you replied to is just trying to be funny. It is probably no worse than smoking a couple of cigarettes. Your lungs/throat might feel a little irritated for a day or two, but that is all.
Joint compound is the same as drywall mud or just mud. It's comprised mainly of gypsum and limestone, but it also has other materials such as clay, mica, perlite, and starch. Joint compound has a spreadable consistency similar to mud, which is how it got its common name.
Some components of drilling fluid may be harmful. Components of drilling fluid include inorganics (heavy metals) and organics (PAHs). Components of drilling fluid may be aqua toxic. Components of drilling fluid may be carcinogenic.
Symptoms of toxic drywall exposure can include respiratory problems like coughing, asthma-like symptoms, or difficulty breathing. Other symptoms may include frequent sinus infections, sore throats, bloody noses, and headaches. Chronic exposure can also cause skin irritations and eye infections.
Before taking on a small- or large-scale drywall sanding task, follow these tips: Wear a dust mask or respirator protect the face and prevent inhaling airborne drywall dust.
Drywall sheets and the compounds used in joints contain elements such as talc, calcite, mica, gypsum, silica, and even high-risk items such as mercury. When these sometimes-toxic particles are inhaled, upper respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung cancer can result.
Use proper personal protective equipment.
Workers should protect their mouth, eyes, nose, eyes, hands and feet when working on a construction jobsite. When necessary, workers should wear OSHA approved respirators to prevent inhalation of dust.
Dust buildup can cause serious health problems, according to Johns Hopkins Hospital lung expert Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, including serious lung infections and in rare cases, even death. “A good inhalation of dust could be life threatening depending on someone's asthma exacerbation,” Galiatsatos said.
Green tea. Green tea contains many antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the lungs. These compounds may even protect lung tissue from the harmful effects of smoke inhalation.
Drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water, aids in the thinned mucus in your lungs. This allows your body to evacuate the mucus and any trapped dust particles, allowing for cleaner breathing. Hydration also promotes general immune system function, which is vital in preventing diseases caused by dust inhalation.
Yes, air purifiers play a big role in cutting down on construction dust and debris while projects are taking place in the surrounding area. This helps prevent harmful construction dust particles from making their way into HVAC systems and other areas of the building.
Dust Allergies. People who have dust allergies are familiar with sneezing—but sneezing isn't the only uncomfortable symptom. Dust allergies also give many people a stuffy or runny nose, or cause their eyes to itch or become red and watery.