Could our nose and lungs filter tiny paint pieces

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ability of the human respiratory system, specifically the nose and lungs, to filter tiny paint particles that may be present in the air. Participants explore the implications of inhaling such particles, particularly in relation to respiratory health, including conditions like asthma. The conversation touches on biological mechanisms of filtration and the characteristics of different types of particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about the inhalation of tiny paint particles, particularly those with asthma, and discuss the filtering capabilities of the respiratory system, including the role of nasal hairs and mucus.
  • Questions are raised about the size of particles that can be effectively filtered by the nose, with one participant suggesting that they found an answer via a Google search.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of verifying information found online, suggesting that while this forum is reliable, other sources like Wikipedia could suffice for simpler questions.
  • A participant provides a link to an article discussing how particle size affects deposition in the respiratory system, noting that nasal inhalation is more effective at filtering larger particles compared to mouth breathing.
  • Concerns are raised about specific types of particles, such as asbestos and mold spores, and their potential health risks, highlighting that not all particles are equally harmful.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of concern regarding the inhalation of paint particles and the effectiveness of the respiratory system's filtration. There is no consensus on the specific size of particles that can be filtered or the implications of inhaling different types of particles.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the complexity of particle size and type as determinants of health risks, indicating that the discussion is limited by the lack of specific information about the paint particles in question.

kenny1999
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today I opened a package and unexpectedly there was a lot of tiny white pieces stuff flying out, like dust flying out from old books, but it's certainly not dust. I suspect it's paint pieces fallen from somewhere and don't understand how it gets to the package inside.

Could our nose and lungs filter these tiny paint pieces? Or will they get to our lungs or stay in our nose?
 
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kenny1999 said:
Could our nose and lungs filter these tiny paint pieces? Or will they get to our lungs or stay in our nose?

Not my favorite scenario as I have asthma!

We have tiny hairs in our nose and further down our respiratory system that help filter dust and other air borne material. We also produce mucus that can clear away anything that could hurt / infect our lungs. Smoking damages these hairs (just one of the bad things about smoking)

In asthma one can get an overreaction to these dust particles and produce a lot of mucus or initiate a serious of reaction that end up "tightening" the lungs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung#Protection
 
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pinball1970 said:
Not my favorite scenario as I have asthma!

We have tiny hairs in our nose and further down our respiratory system that help filter dust and other air borne material. We also produce mucus that can clear away anything that could hurt / infect our lungs. Smoking damages these hairs (just one of the bad things about smoking)

In asthma one can get an overreaction to these dust particles and produce a lot of mucus or initiate a serious of reaction that end up "tightening" the lungs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung#Protection

How small is the size of the particles our nose can filter?
 
kenny1999 said:
Sometimes the information on the internet may not be bullet proof to be true. I need more answers.
Uh ... you ARE on the internet. I'll certainly grant you that this forum is more reliable than the average internet site, but for a question as simple as yours I think something like Wikipedia would be fine, and there are medical sites that have detailed info. My point is that it's a good idea to make some attempt on your own before asking questions here.
 
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https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/how_do.html This is the standard explanation for non-scientists.
A quick rundown on the article with some examples.

Note that particle size is a determinate on where and if the particles are deposited. Nasal inhalation filters out more larger particles than does inhaling mouth open. Particle density (number of particles per cm3) in the air inhaled obviously is also a determining factor in how much of a "dose" of something is not expelled, but retained.

The major issue is: what type of particle?
Kind:
Example bad news would be something like fine Chrysolite particles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos. This very unlikley. Asbestos is a no-no for packaging in most countries.
It was commonly used in auto brake pad linings, so auto repair personnel were exposed to asbestos.
(Black) Mold spores are another problem. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC145304/
Ordinary household mold spores - not a big problem - per same article from NIH.

Size: larger particles are removed more efficiently. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6034084/ This shows how particle size and type can exacerbate existing pulmonary problems.

We have subdued this topic nicely. Thanks everyone for posting.
 
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