For several recent months, I was working with ipe wood, completely ignorant of its silica (and other irritant) content. I was warned by a bowyer to be very care

For several recent months, I was working with ipe wood, completely ignorant of its silica (and other irritant) content. I was warned by a bowyer to be very careful with the dust approximately when I began experiencing chest discomfort. Ipe isn't the only wood with a high silica content, but I now take ventilation and minimum of an n95 mask very seriously. My work was casual, so hopefully was significant exposure. The effects of silicosis can take many years to show, and I don't think any treatment exists beyond the palliative. It's a problem, with a surprising number of products, that most are unaware of.