Allergies and the laser

[Gene Uselman]

I have a large corner in a 3600 foot open building for my tools etc. We have two Mini-splits which keep it cooler than necessary for me.
I am 77yo and have a cold nose most of the time and wear an insulated vest over a short sleeve shirt. I have been gaining experience with CPAP therapy and had open heart surgery 5 mo ago and feel a lot better than I deserve to feel .
I cut most every day and engrave less regularly with my 6 year old laser and run two Prusa 3d printers all day most days. I have never considered that I have allergies but my nose runs all day, everyday I am here. I cut mostly good quality plywood and mdf core plywood from Ochooch hardwoods and some acrylics and styrenes mostly for the sign shop who is making my end of life happy beyond belief. I get to invent and design and build prototypes and final products of what every I have the urge to- often to streamline production for the sign shop which has fascinated me since I opened it 25 years ago. I am modifying my 900x1300 laser bed for even better evacuation and to make it easier to clean out the debris [and more likely to be done frequently].

This dripping nose is a pain but not a deal breaker- any thoughts? Thanks Gene

[Pete Cyr]

did you have a runny nose before surgery -I assume you are doing all the same work you did before OR what is different now?
If you dont work in the Ship do you have a runny nose?? - (like on your long car trips?}
Do you clean the CPAP regularly - they make steamers to kill of the stuff that grows in the lines.

[Gene Uselman]

I was in a different building before and I do not recall any issue. The drip starts when I walk in the door and ends [mostly] when I leave.
Many things going on since I turned 76, before that my life was a dream, now still good but a lot of minor problems. We came back from February in the Keys in 2022 and the company had taken over and gutted my second building, moving all my tools and machinery into the 'new' building. Many different issues [including the cpap] thru that whole year, ending in bypasses and aortic valve in Jan of this year. I have tried the cpap after the surgery and cannot tell any difference on or off of the pump. My spouse sez my sleep breathing is normal now as opposed to the apneas all night before the surgery. Talked to a cardiologist yesterday [they know nothing about sleep apnea and I am not so sure the sleep doctors do either] and they are going to do tests to compare my heart function now vs. before surgery. I always tell people that 'it does not have to make sense' [life] and am bent upon proving it.

[Pete Cyr]

"The drip starts when I walk in the door and ends [mostly] when I leave."

I would lean toward something in the air - mold, particulate from the 3D printers. We found that we have to put a containment tent around 3D printers when using on a submarine underwater because they eject particulate into the air that that is not good for people in a confined space.
It doesn't have to be air tight - just something from keeping the stuff from going airborne -a clear plexiglass box will work

[Gene Uselman]

You have given me much to think about Pete. I had not thought about the printers, altho the volume in here is way larger than a sub and I doubt that is affecting me. This is a old metal building that was used when it was moved here many years ago and I am guessing it has many toxins stored up. I leaped upon the laser but that is not used for days at a time occasionally and I have never noticed a difference.
We will probably never know- as I said it is not really affecting much other that T-paper and tissue consumption. thanks Gene