Less toxic flap disc material vs better filtration.

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Any opinions on what material is the least harmful to my lungs? Or do I need to stop worrying about the material type and be more concerned with air filtration?I'm not in a position to have clean air piped in right now, though that would be the goal in the future. I'm currently more thinking along the lines of a quality inexpensive mask/filter setup and a less hardous flap material. I have always just used cheaper N95 masks while doing any sort of grinding. It cuts down how much funk I cough up later by about 85%, but doesn't get it all. I never used to care too awful much about my health, but I have a family now and I'd like to give myself a better shot at sticking around if I'm able.I didn't have much luck searching for similar topics. Thanks for any insight you might be able to share.Oh also I was going to order a bunch of stuff from MSC Direct. Flap discs, grinding and cutoff wheels, wire wheels and cups, brushes. I have used MSC before and I really like places that offer the live inventory feature.If you can suggest another supplier with live inventory and good prices I'm all ears.Thanks!
Reply:I'd focus more on ppe than finding a "safe" flap disc.  If you manage to find a friendly flap disc, that still leaves a billion other things that are toxic.  Kill many birds with one stone and get a good mask.  I have  a 3m half mask that is good for everything from welding fumes to auto paints and clear coats to simple dust.
Reply:Agree with a mask.  HEPA Vacuum systems are pretty cheap these days. Also,fume extraction units can be found for cheap.  Ideally a grinding station or shroud to collect heavy dust.  I am not sure the minutes you grind is as much an issue as what is left floating in the air.  Or even repeatedly disturbed.
Reply:Thanks for the suggestions. Better mask it is then. I'll work on the rest later. I do often leave my shop vac with hepa filter running while I grinding to take some particulate out of the air. I never paid attention to what my flap discs were before. Is the alumina zirconia the stuff to beat as far as flap discs go?
Reply:Not all N95's are created equal.  Look for the 3M that will block biologic particles.  They're the best, but hard to come by these days.  What they're trying to palm off on us are the "easy breath" N95's...........................Yeah they breath easier, but don't filter as well.  They might be marked 8210, but you have to read the enclosed product brochure to make sure they're the bio type.  Some are only rated for sanding drywall, and other stuff.  Grinding abrasives are finer than any kind of sanding project.
Reply:This is what I'm currently using.


Reply:

Originally Posted by farmersammm

Not all N95's are created equal.  Look for the 3M that will block biologic particles.  They're the best, but hard to come by these days.  What they're trying to palm off on us are the "easy breath" N95's...........................Yeah they breath easier, but don't filter as well.  They might be marked 8210, but you have to read the enclosed product brochure to make sure they're the bio type.  Some are only rated for sanding drywall, and other stuff.  Grinding abrasives are finer than any kind of sanding project.