FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Does anyone have a recommendation for protection while working with perlite? I've been doing some transplanting/re-potting this week (both for my carnies and otherwise; those 2 cubic feet of perlite need to go to use sometime), and my nose and throat are paying the price.

I used a typical disposable dust mask (which is supposed to be good for sandblasting and working with fiberglass) any time I dug into the perlite bag, and at least until the stuff was wet in the soil mixture.

I was thinking of buying one of those heavy-duty masks that only need the filter changed out occasionally, but I don't know if that might be overkill. Thoughts?

I use a neoprene dust mask with an activated charcoal filter. I have problems with lung irritation from perlite dust and dry peat moss dust as well, whenever I'm mixing in my greenhouse. So now, when I need to mix a batch of CP soil, I put the mask on and it seems to be 100% effective for me. Here is a link to the one I use: http://www.harborfreight.com/multipurpo ... 94222.html The mask is very comfortable, I actually forget I have it on after a while and the filter should last forever if you are only using it when mixing potting soil.

Wet the perlite by misting it before use and hold your breath while doing so.

Leathal_Traps wrote:Wet the perlite by misting it before use and hold your breath while doing so.

This is what I do, plus working in a well-ventilated area (outside) whenever I'm mixing media.

I never wear a mask, though I still probably should.

MrsMuscipula wrote:I never wear a mask, though I still probably should.

Same here lol. Also never use gloves which I probably should

I just do it outside, and wet the perlite immediately after pouring it out of the bag. If there's any wind, it'll take care of the dust.

Leathal_Traps wrote:Wet the perlite by misting it before use and hold your breath while doing so.

This.

And this.

nimbulan wrote:I just do it outside, and wet the perlite immediately after pouring it out of the bag. If there's any wind, it'll take care of the dust.

Water is going to help you the most like they said. I don't use peat/perlite anymore but even with LFSM, when its first out of the bag it gets airborne. A mask will help, I personally just pull my tshirt above my nose since it's only a few seconds to a minute before its adequately wet enough to stay in place.


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Jaws wrote:

Leathal_Traps wrote:Wet the perlite by misting it before use and hold your breath while doing so.

This.

And this.

nimbulan wrote:I just do it outside, and wet the perlite immediately after pouring it out of the bag. If there's any wind, it'll take care of the dust.

I did all that, and it still got me I didn't take the LF and peat moss into account, though, so maybe that was it. I knew perlite has a reputation for messing you up, but I worked with the LF and peat for a while before ever putting a mask on. Live and learn

Thanks, everyone!

Silica dust is very bad to breathe in, and causes Silicosis, a nasty disease that I would definitely recommend avoiding.

You can buy a respirator with replaceable filters if you use perlite often, but generally just thoroughly spraying it down from a reasonable distance outdoors will work. I still only do it on a breezy day, and I wear a disposable dust mask while doing so.