Is the dust dangerous to breathe when cleaning coop?

[theuglychick]

I was actually diagnosed with Histoplasmosis believed from chicken droppings. Ended up growing a 33mm mass in my left lung and having what is known as a wedge resection of the lung performed and have been on an anti fungal for 3 months.

Sorry about your troubles. Thanks for sharing that and letting us know about the seriousness of this stuff. I'll be sure to take it more seriously and wear a mask !!!

 

[Carmen1978Sedlock]

As a respiratory nurse I will say without fail that dust from a chicken coop is EXTREMELY dangerous to be inhaled. Then you combine the natural ammonia, etc, with things you may add like DE, sevin dust or PDZ and you only compound it! Yes a N-95 respirator is the key and you do need a good seal as was stated, otherwise, you're defeating the whole purpose. I watch my clients everyday and it reminds me to wear my mask in the coops

What can you do if this happens? I was cleaning our garage and a bunch of unseen dander/dust came right into my face. Most of their mess had been cleaned so it was dust trapped behind articles near their cage before they transitioned into the coop. I do feel like this has effected my respiratory.

 

[ChaosMom]

What can you do if this happens? I was cleaning our garage and a bunch of unseen dander/dust came right into my face. Most of their mess had been cleaned so it was dust trapped behind articles near their cage before they transitioned into the coop. I do feel like this has effected my respiratory.

My husband and I use leftover masks when wading into dusty work. We both have asthma and don’t need to set it off.

Just the cheap procedural (“surgical”) blue masks work for us. Toss it when you get back into the clean air.

 

[Folly's place]

This is an old thread, but on a very important topic!
My lungs are very important to me, and when raising dust in the coop, as in raking litter or cleaning it out, or working with the birds, at least an N95 dust mask, or a respirator, are essential.
Asthma is no fun, neither is Histoplasmosis!
And reusing disposable masks? No way!
Standard surgical masks aren't enough, BTW.
Mary