When I use some paints and all stains I become very ill for several days.
Need some suggestions for a good full face respirator.
Also need it for dust.
Thanks for any information.
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I'd like to know, too.
Paint used to never bother me. Now it seems like latex is out to get me. I wear the 95's, but still, often I get slowed down. I painted with SW Duration a few weeks ago, and had to take an afternoon off.
Is something new going into today's latex? The Duration has some green logo on it, low VOC, but it really got to me.
"I wanna be a race car passenger. You know, the guy that bugs the driver. Say, man, can I stick my feet out the window? Do we have to keep going in circles? Mind if I turn on the radio? Boy, you really like Tide."
IIRC the cartridges with activated charcoal are best for chemical vapors.
Brand doesn't really matter, you need to find one that fits your face so that you use it. AO and MSA both make good full face respirators in a variety of styles. There are different models and you need to find the one that fits your face the best. To check fit, put it on your face (preferably clean shaven), put your hands over the inlets, and then inhale. If it fits well, it'll stick to your face without any leaks. You also need to match the filters to what you are trying to filter out. Filter cartridges are color coded (not brand specific, there are industry standards), You probably want a combo filter for organic vapors and respirable dust (that's a cartridge with a yellow and purple stripe, I can't remember which color does which though). It astounds me the number of people that I see wearing a $3 dust mask when using solvents.
OK, which one of us plagarized the other?????Are you ex-Army or USMC? You wrote the same thing I did, straight out of CBR School!DonDon Reinhard
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
It's rare that any two guys agree on anything around here. At least we gave some good advice. I can't tell you where I was trained, let's just say it didn't happen...
Hey - I been to places that don't exist, either.DonDon Reinhard
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
Thanks red and don.
What do you do if you have a beard like I do?
Shave, sorry.
http://www.firstaidandsafetyonline.com/showproduct~catid~27.asp
Barry E-Remodeler
Purple/magenta/pink is dust. Black is organic vapor. Yellow is organic vapor & acid gas.
-Nate
edit to add link:
http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/respiratory_protection.pdf
Edited 2/7/2009 5:38 pm ET by NatW
Go to Mine Safety Appliance (MSA), They make a full range of half & full face masks that are super good. The secret is in the cartridges. You need the carbon organic chemical vapor cartridge. That, coupled w/ the Hotsy/totsy particulate filter will protect you.. I have one & it is comfortable & you don't smell a thing while wearing it. You have to know how to put it on, though. No facial hair can be under the sealing surface. Put it on, cover the exhaust port w/ your hand & exhale sharply. Air should escape around & through the sealing surface. Now cover the inlets w/ your palms & inhale sharply. You should feel like you are going to suffocate. You have now checked both sets of valves for correct action.
Good luck.
Don
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
Humbug on the masks and cartridges!
What is probably a better - and far more comfortable - solution is a powered filter supplying a hood.
Here's a link to one such system: http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/Respirators/PAPRs_and_Acces/42957/
Sure, there's still the matter of the appropriate filters ... but the fan sure helps - and there's no worries about the gasket sealing.
Now ... it's ALSO possible that spray painting displaces the oxygen from the room ... in which case, it's no surprise you're tired at the end of the day. I know, you tend to want to seal that room up tight ... when what you really need is both a fresh air supply, as well as the exhausting of the old air.
Mask is one heck of a lot cheaper!DonDon Reinhard
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
Find a lcoal supplier to fit you with a mask and do a stinky-smoke check for you. Masks do you no good if they leak and having one fitted for you (they come in different sizes) will help get you the right mask that will seal. A poorly fitted mask is just about the same as no mask.
The charcoal filters are supposedly only good for 8 hours after you open them (they continue absorbing pollutants from the air even if you're not breathing through them) but I never did the research to prove that.
Once you get the mask fitted and like it you should be able to find the cartiridges at http://www.mcmaster.com . I like North masks.
John, Thanks for the reply.
I was looking on ebay and other web sites for the "deal".
Wife and I decided it would be better to have one that we know fits. So we are going to use your suggestion even though it will cost more money (not in the long run).
Where might we go to find a good selection to choose from. We are between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo in Michigan. I am thinking maybe a welding supply house?
Sorry I'm no help with finding a supplier. Welding supply might be a good start. I can only offer 2 google searches http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=safety+equipment+suppliers+kalamazoo+mi&aq=3&oq=
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=safety+equipment+suppliers+grand+rapids+mi&aq=f&oq=
but come to think of it, try going right to North and use their Find a Dealer function for your area. Usually places sell more than just one brand so once you find a North dealer you may be able to find other brands there as well, or a connection to lead you in a better direction. North may not be the brand for you, dunno.
I was fitted in my prior industrial job and although it's not much, it sure is an eye opener to put on a mask that you think fits well and be choking on the stink-smoke they waft around your face. The hand on mask trick isn't fool proof for masks that aren't sized correctly, the hand pressure can make the seal that wouldn't normally be there in regular use (with no hand on the mask).
ETA: Let us know how your search works out.
Edited 2/8/2009 10:30 am ET by john7g