Grinding/Particulate Masks??

I thought it was the stuff that came off the grinding wheel was the problem. Never wore any mask for grinding/ welding except galvanised or hard facing buckets as rods have high amounts of maginese both of which are not good to breath in
Worked in power generation in the coal yard for a few years, there was no such things as a respirator, we used rags tied over our faces
Nothing for asbestos, fly ash, chemicals, burning steel, toxic paint fumes coming off steel while burning out old rotted sections.
Today many of the young guys welding and burning, grinding use respirators and thats good thing
Its to late for me but not for some of you.....Protect your health