Ag Respiratory Danger

U.S Agricultural Safety and Health Centers YouTube channel has produced safety videos for people in agriculture. You might ask if this is really necessary? How's this for a fact: farmers have the highest rate of disabilities from respiratory conditions. That leads to the conclusion that a very good investment for farmers would be respiratory protection in the form of masks. Listen to a clip of Carolyn Sheridan, Clinical Director AgriSafe Network, talking about respirators that protect farmers from ambient dust. "In agriculture it can be difficult to find the right mask for the hazard that you are protecting yourself against. It is important to protect yourself from the hazards that you can and cannot see. Look at all of the choices that we have in masks. We need to try and help you find the right mask for the right job."

These videos provide information about:

·         How long term exposures to agricultural dusts and gases can cause permanent damage to your lungs leading to chronic bronchitis, an asthma-like condition, lung scarring, or emphysema. 

·         The fact that farmers have the highest rate of disabilities from respiratory conditions.

·         Symptoms of respiratory hazard exposure include: severe shortness of breath with exertion, chronic coughing, periodic flu-like symptoms, sinus problems and nasal drainage and chest tightness and wheezing after working in agricultural dusts. 

·         How respirators prevent dusts, molds, and other hazards from entering your airway and lungs.

·         How serious diseases can result from one-time and repeated exposure to respiratory hazards. 

·         How you must always use the proper respirator for the specific hazard. Your dust/mist respirator will not protect you from ammonia fumes, though the two may look very similar.