How dangerous is gypsum board dust?

Question

Maintenance workers in my building installed fire sprinkler piping through the walls today. They didn't clean up when they left and now there is dust (from them drilling through the walls) all over everything.

I know the maintenance guys wear masks and goggles while doing the drilling, how dangerous is the dust if inhaled? I'm trying to clean it up and I have surgical masks to wear, but will that be enough?

Answer 1

Well, I wouldn't say it's harmless.  If you breathed enough of it, your lungs could get irritated enough that it could cause an infection.  Hence the dust masks.  It can definately scratch the cornea of your eyes...hence the googles.  But it's not like asbestos dust or anything.  It doesn't cause cancer.  Just wipe it up with a damp paper towel like the people above said and if your working with drywall, you should wear the Proper Protective Equipment as well as with anything else you work with.

Answer 2

It's not dangerous.  An ordinary dust mask is fine for working with gypsum board.  Also, water is your friend, wiping things down with a wet rag or sponge helps to keep the dust out of the air.  You can use a vacuum but the dust is very fine and will clog the bag or filter much more quickly than ordinary vacuuming.

Answer 3

drywall dust is harmless,  although it does give you great boogers.  Yuck.  :)

Answer 4

that will be fine.. it wont kill you if thats what your wondering.. I deal with it daily, if you would like, take a spray bottle around with you, spray it down (the dust) with water before disturbing, this will keep the dust down..