880 middle wall construction (dust)

Roundboy

Roundboy

THE ROUNDFATHER
880 has been getting the middle wall redone for some time now and I'm happy that it's finally being finished especially Hayward/Fremont/Milpitas etc. It is a big pain to share lanes with those cement Jersey Barriers and no shoulder. Now I see that it's reached my neck of the woods in San Lorenzo and creeping it's way up North towards the Coliseum.

One day I saw a metal bracket they use to set the concrete the size of a car drive shaft get hit on the Southbound side, thrown over the wall, over me in the HOV lane Northbound and it bounced into a car in the next lane over!!! I heard it crunch the drivers side fender. That was crazy. No time to react nothing it just flew over me and bounced into the car next to me.:wow

Now that construction is complete in some areas I'm seeing a lot of dust being swirled around and picked up by the fast moving cars. I'm wondering if I need to start wearing a gas mask or painters mask at the very least on my moto commute.

The dust that's picking up from that shoulder area is thick. I can see it in my lights especially early in the morning and I'm just breathing that all in on my commute.

Take a look next time you'll see it too. It's probably the cement dust from the old wall they demo'd. Probably need to go through there a few times with the sweeper trucks and eventually I'm sure it will dissipate but it's probably really bad to breath in every day. In my car it's filtered but on the moto you are right there sucking it all in.
 
spdt509

spdt509

Well-known member
i would definitely wear a mask, since our freeway system was build in the 50's. you really dont know what's in that dust....
 
ScottRNelson

ScottRNelson

Mr. Dual Sport Rider
EastBayDave said:
I agree; but how do you wear a mask INSIDE your helmet?
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Get a Buff
original-buff.1498208199-380x380.jpg
 
S

Schnellbandit

I see 4 lights!
^^^This.

And don't forget to change your bike's air filter and change your oil more frequently.

Cement/concrete dust will do very bad things to your lungs and it doesn't take very much.

Go to Chinatown, they sell masks made from very tight weaved cotton, very soft and can easily be worn inside a helmet. Washable too. Slip on a buff over that.

I'm rather amazed that people ride on the crappy BA freeways, Hummers are a better solution.
 
EastBayDave

EastBayDave

- Kawasaki Fanatic -
ScottRNelson said:
Get a Buff
original-buff.1498208199-380x380.jpg
Click to expand...
Oh I C. I have several "Balaclava's," & "scarf's" I've used f/decades cold weather riding; but I hardly consider those something like a "Hepa" filter (one that positively keeps out lung damaging contaminates.)

They are simply to keep your neck/lower head warm. Those are not rated for that like a real "mask" is. Right? I'd like to know what you all consider "positive" air/lung protection for riders. As many here know, I've had pneumonia, Asthma, & COPD & sure would like to hear about it. If you know something I don't, please speak up! :teeth

A simple mask as above may keep out larger particles, but not tiny ones. :x
 
J

jwb

Well-known member
EastBayDave said:
Oh I C. I have several "Balaclava's," & "scarf's" I've used f/decades cold weather riding; but I hardly consider those something like a "Hepa" filter (one that positively keeps out lung damaging contaminates.)

They are simply to keep your neck/lower head warm. Those are not rated for that like a real "mask" is. Right? I'd like to know what you all consider "positive" air/lung protection for riders. As many here know, I've had pneumonia, Asthma, & COPD & sure would like to hear about it. If you know something I don't, please speak up! :teeth

A simple mask as above may keep out larger particles, but not tiny ones. :x
Click to expand...
If you want submicron particulate filtering you probably want this: http://respro.com/store/product/sportsta-mask
 
ScottRNelson

ScottRNelson

Mr. Dual Sport Rider
EastBayDave said:
Oh I C. I have several "Balaclava's," & "scarf's" I've used f/decades cold weather riding; but I hardly consider those something like a "Hepa" filter (one that positively keeps out lung damaging contaminates.)
Click to expand...
If you're that concerned, drive a car and keep the air conditioning on recirculate the whole time. :rolleyes

I ride motorcycles and drive a convirtible with the top down to experience a bit more of what's going on out in the air. :cool
 
catch2otwo

catch2otwo

Well-known member
Don't forget if you need to have a clean shaven face to get a good seal. If you have facial hair a respirator will do you no good.

Honestly I don't see any way for the seal to really seal with your helmet on. Concrete dust is bad for you though
 
Lesbusa

Lesbusa

Well-known member
You mean to say it's your contention that somebody is actually out there working? I'm lucky if I see for workers in five miles.
 
EastBayDave

EastBayDave

- Kawasaki Fanatic -
ScottRNelson said:
If you're that concerned, drive a car and keep the air conditioning on recirculate the whole time. :rolleyes

I ride motorcycles and drive a convirtible with the top down to experience a bit more of what's going on out in the air. :cool
Click to expand...
sorry, It's just because recently I started thinking differently w/massive lung issues...you know...:afm199
 
S

Schnellbandit

I see 4 lights!
Lesbusa said:
You mean to say it's your contention that somebody is actually out there working? I'm lucky if I see for workers in five miles.
Click to expand...

Their trick is simple. One bag of cement, sliced open lengthwise and placed on the shoulder and there is dust and the appearance of work being performed for miles. I think one bag can last for about 6 hours depending on traffic and wind.
 
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