That is a really good call on the respirator. I am going to order one of those. I have breathed in so much organic dust. I have been steadily mulching my friends two acres plus my yard and all of the potting mix I custom blend in the cement mixer from raw materials. Micronized Azomite is good for your lungs right? That is how I get my trace minerals. 
You saved my life Zands. I owe you one. I am careful, stand down wind, and moisten my mixes but that mask is a lot more convenient than holding my breath or using those crappy paper dust masks during the dicey parts.
Hey Josh. I bought that one three years ago on Amazon after researching different respirators for one or two hours
HOWEVER please do your own research and evaluationThere might be better ones by now. Amazon had quite a few types. There might be ones that can do different types of filtration with a cartridge change. Such as being capable of stopping mold but also paint and chem fumes when spraying copper.
Just saying you might find a multi-purpose respirator for 10$-20$ more that the one I bought.
Tractor Supply might have some interesting respirators
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Farmers lung is no joke!!!http://nasdonline.org/1654/d001538/farmer-039-s-lung-it-takes-your-breath.htmlFarmer's Lung: It Takes Your Breath Away!PDF Version available Farm Safety Association, Inc.
Farmer's lung is an allergy caused by dust from moldy hay, straw and grain. In early stages of the disease, it can seem like nothing worse than a nagging winter cold. If ignored, the allergic reaction can cause permanent lung damage. The victim may be forced to give up farming and -- in some cases -- may suffer from permanent disability or even death.
Early diagnosis is crucial if lasting damage is to be prevented. Because farmer's lung is characterized by cold or flu-like symptoms, early detection is difficult. Many victims won't even bother to visit a doctor despite persistent symptoms. When they do, the exposure to moldy crop material is rarely mentioned to the physician. This can be disastrous, because each exposure increases the damage. Farmers who don't seek medical help could saddle their families with an invalid.
Molds the cause
When crops are stored without sufficient drying, they begin to heat. Many kinds of mold grow in such environments. When a farmer works with such material -- for example, when a bale of hay is broken open -- the mold is released as part of a very fine dust. A farmer who is working indoors can inhale a large amount of this dust in a very short time.
Because the dust is so fine, it gets past defense systems in the nose and throat. When the dust reaches the inner parts of the lungs (called the alveoli), the lungs' internal defense system takes over. In most cases, the dust is removed without damage. However, an allergy to the material develops in a few individuals. In other words, the body 'assumes' that the mold is more dangerous than is really the case, and prepares to combat the intruders.
The first exposure in sensitive individuals only creates the allergy. Every subsequent exposure triggers an allergic reaction. The body's immune system goes to work against the mold, producing symptoms which may resemble anything from a cold to pneumonia. Scar tissue (fibrosis) forms within the lungs. While cold-like symptoms may clear up, the fibrosis is permanent.
Lung damage may be too slight to notice in the early stages of farmer's lung. However, each subsequent exposure increases tissue damage. A victim will soon begin to notice that they are short of breath. At first, this makes strenuous work more difficult. Even routine tasks become too much after frequent, repeated exposure. Eventually, the victim may find it a struggle to even get out of a chair.
Acute attacks most obvious
The allergic reactions of farmer's lung are usually divided into either acute or chronic attacks. Acute reactions are most noticeable but, by being ignored, the chronic form can do more long-term damage.
Acute reactions occur when a farmer is especially sensitive and/or when there is very heavy exposure to moldy dust. Symptoms of an acute attack develop four to eight hours after exposure. They resemble flu or even pneumonia -- in extreme cases, the victim may go into shock and die!
Symptoms of acute farmer's lung include:
Fever
Chills
A dripping nose
An irritating and harassing cough
Blood-streaked sputum
Laboured or difficult breathing, with a feeling of tightness in the chest.
Crackling breathing
Muscular pain
Depression
It is easy to see why these symptoms could be mistaken for a case of the flu. That's why milder attacks are often left to "run their course", without a visit to a doctor. In the more extreme cases, the need for hospital care becomes obvious.
Symptoms of an acute farmer's lung attack usually decrease after 12 hours, but may linger for up to two weeks. Severe attacks can last as long as 12 weeks.
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