With my dust allergy (severe asthma), any dust is trouble. Cardboard and old paper (old books) are magnets for dust and mold. I found an all wood barristers bookshelf, which has proved helpful in keeping the dust controlled, as well as cleaning the contents regularly, with a mask on!
Previously in my house I had duct cleaning routinely. I now use an I.Q. Air filter in my apartment. Have used this for about 12 years, with excellent effect.
I too would have trouble in a room with old boxes! Perhaps you could transfer the 'stacks of paper' into some plastic bins to seal up the paper and remove the cardboard boxes, until able to work on them.
Best of luck getting through such a project.!

Raney, I have a suggestion for you to help tame your paper mess. If you are like most people, good stuff, old bills, old statements, expired coupons, old ads are all mixed together. I bet less than 10% of the "stuff" is of current value, and even less needs to be saved.
If you are in a community, ask your business manager or activity director for a recommendation to a secretary, student, or someone to hire who can make a first sort for you. Or ask a family member to do it as a birthday or Christmas gift.
First look AT the boxes -Did you move them from the house with you? How long ago? Have you looked into any of them since you moved for something you needed? If the answer is "No", unless you think there are family photos or your will in the boxes, out they go to they shredder - don't even open. Your community will have a shredder contract because they handle sensitive records. Ask them to take care of shredding for you.
If the answer is "Yes" or "Maybe" set these aside to do LAST.
Next, set up a table and let your helper go to work, after explaining key items to look for. No talking or picking stuff up while they work. Have them work from the most current piles towards the older ones. When your helper leaves for the day, do not pick through or mess with the piles.
1. Throw away all Ads, all newspapers older than 1 month, any newsletter or magazine older than 6 months. Take the bags out as they fill - these can go to recycle.
2. Make piles: personal letters and cards, receipts, car/life insurance, business/tax records, medical/Medicare/health insurance, credit card and utility statements. Throw away all envelopes and extra "stuffers" into recycle.
3.You did not say what business you are in, nor when you moved from your home, but if it has been more than 4 years, all the old business and house records can be shredded. No need to look at them. The same with old credit card and utility statements - after they are paid, if no dispute on them, keep for one year AT THE LONGEST.
4. Medical - Here is where YOU sit down at a separate table and go to work. All those notices from Medicare and your doctor billings are full of unnecessary papers. If Medicare is just telling you the claims are paid, shred bag for everything not from this year. The same with all the medical bills or insurance statement ONLY save anything in dispute, unpaid, or from this year and place it in a small tote labelled 2023.
5. Receipts - Shred all ATM, grocery store, clothing and other receipts after 3 months (or less) unless for a major item (air cleaner, furniture) Attach major item receipts to the instructions that came with the item.
6. Current (2023) insurance, bank statements & investment info into your 2023 tote.
7. Tax Info - If you still must file Federal or State income tax (many seniors do not) make an Income Tax tote and place records there. No receipts or medical go here - almost nobody itemizes deductions any more.
By having someone else get all the extra stuff out of there, you can get down to a manageable amount.
I'm going to be forthright here - if something happened tomorrow, and you were never coming back to your apartment, chances are at least 90% that whoever empties your apartment, even a family member, with just throw all that stuff out. This gives you a chance to decide what to throw away.
Sue