cflbasser Posted March 16, 2004 Report Share Posted March 16, 2004 Does anybody use a respirator or 2 cartridge dust mask when pouring? I have a fan set up to ventilate the area where I am pouring but I still seem to get a little light-headed after an hour or so. I was wondering if anybody has used a respirator and do they help? If, so any recommendations on what to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted March 16, 2004 Report Share Posted March 16, 2004 Just currious, but how much flow do you get from your vent? I flow 275 cfm and it does fine. Also how close is it to your work area? If it isnt close enough it wont work well. I have about 30" or so from the work area. Also it is vented to the outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 16, 2004 Report Share Posted March 16, 2004 I have to use a respirator because of a sinus condition. If I don't use it and pour for a couple of hours I wind up with a splitting head. I use a full face one because I have a beard and it works fine. I also have a range fan that I run. The room I use is not very big and if I don't use the mask and fan you can't breath after awhile. I now use a micro and that helps a great deal(less smoke/fumes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cflbasser Posted March 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2004 Merc- Don't know the exact cfm... Its not really a "Ventilation fan"... I work on an enclosed back porch. The workbench is set up next to the door and I have a 30" box fan, turned on high, set up next to the workbench aimed towards the open door. It does pretty good and I can see any smoke being sucked out by the fan. But it seems like when I'm pouring, and looking directly over the mold, trying to keep a steady hand, that the fumes come up into my face, before being sucked out. Not that the plastic is smoking too bad or anything like that, but there are a small amount of smoke/fumes that I'm breathing in directly. I've found a few cartridge style masks on Ebay for under $10. I'm considering giving one a try and seeing if that helps... I'll let you know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_hide Posted March 16, 2004 Report Share Posted March 16, 2004 I pour outside under a verandah - my wife won't let me pour indoors and I don't have a shed. Even with adequate ventiallation I still use a twin cartridge respirator, safety glasses and gloves. I think the respirator is designed fpr "paint" and chemicals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon gaudlitz Posted March 17, 2004 Report Share Posted March 17, 2004 I use a exhaust fan mounted in my garage window with a box built around it, a 6 inch dia hose from that to a metal vent that I put together.The vent can be moved from a electic burneror to a microwave I use. The fan pulls 600cfm, I have to be careful using fine glitter, it will suck it away, but I never wear a mask which helps a lot in the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubeman Posted March 18, 2004 Report Share Posted March 18, 2004 I have the MSDS on file from Calhoun Chem Co. You guys should be aware that plastisols contain Poly Vinyl Chloride...a cancer causing agent. Although it is found in small amounts its not worth it to find 10 years down the road you got lung cancer and dont smoke . I use a twin cartridge respirator that picks up air from behind me ( this one is used by welders) Is 100 bucks worth good health yup. Also make sure you buy cartridges to filter out Organic Vapours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cflbasser Posted March 18, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2004 Thanks Tubeman... That's what I was looking for... In the back of my head, I knew this stuff could be bad for us but I wasn't 100% sure... I'll be getting one of those masks before I pour again and reconsidering my ventilation system... Thanks a million!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubeman Posted March 18, 2004 Report Share Posted March 18, 2004 Glad I could help. Funny thing, its only the vapours that are harmful. Once its set, no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_hide Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 Tubeman Im assuming the MSDS recommends the Organic Vapour filter. Does it mention specifically any other special cartridge requirements. Id be curious to know if you can still smell the plastisol slightly when wearing your mask. I have a half face mask and I can occassionally smell small amounts of the plastic. Im wondering if the filters not effectively blocking the smell is it still blocking the PVC vapour ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_hide Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 Just a followup on the respirator issue. At least working for a checmicals company has some benefits. I talked to our Healtha and Safety people who directed me to numerous MSDS reports, studies etc on the carcinogenic agent found in PVC vapour. its called Chloroethylene or Vinyl Chloride Monomer Its considered a class 1 carcinogen which means that repeated exposure has been known to be cancerous. Its interesting that some of you fellows fell a little ill, light headed, head ache etc since the short term symptoms of exposure are. irritation, nausea, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, heach ache, drowsiness, diziness, disorientation, joint pain,loss of coordination , hearing loss. Long term problems - impotence, bluish skin,blood disorders, liver damage, cancer. The recommendation from Tubeman is correct, a Half Mask or Full Mask Respirator with Approved Organic Vapour Cartridges is essential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cflbasser Posted March 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 a Half Mask or Full Mask Respirator with Approved Organic Vapour Cartridges is essential. Are there any recommendations on brands or styles? Where would one of these be purchased? Will the $10 respirators offered on Ebay be sufficient or should I purchase a specialty mask from somewhere else? hide... Thanks for your input... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubeman Posted March 20, 2004 Report Share Posted March 20, 2004 Hide, thats more info than Calhoun supplyed, thanks!!. As far as smelling a bit of the plastisol, it could be the fit of the mask around your nose...I know as it happens to me and I have to re-adjust it occasionally. I got the snorkle type fitting to run around my neck to my upper back so the cartridges would pick up fresher air. Thats makes them last longer and it is easier to breath with less air contamination. The filters can only do so much, especially when you are breathing in direct from above your work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_hide Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 Bassifier not sure about the ebay masks but from research here in Aus Organic Vapour catridges are pretty simple to obtain and not overly expensive. Often they are marketted as gardening spray masks/ pesticide masks etc. Organic vapour I believe is the entry level vapour mask, not particularly demanding and often the catridge contains a particle mask aswell. I searched at 3m through there cartridge recommendations based on chemical content and they specifically listed a synonym for the chemical as only requiring a generic OV catridge and 3m appears to have specific cartridges for an enormous amount of chemicals etc. Worth noting however is that the levels of the monomer available in most products has been signficantly reduced and the case studies where done on PVC workers on the old pre legislation exposure levels (US,Aus and some other countries) . From what I read it was something that you needed to be in contact with for a large amount of time regularly to see the negative side effects. Tubeman I was wondering if the smell was just that smell, its possible that the mask blocks the nasties but still lets the smell through , since the smell and smoking appears to be directly related to the heat and stabiliser and the mononmer is odourless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cflbasser Posted March 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 Thanks Guys... I appreciate all of the helpful info... I didn't have a chance to go respirator shopping this weekend, but I intend on doing so before I pour any more... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubeman Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 Hide, the fellows that sold me the filters said that once you can start to really smell the plastisol, its time to change the cartridges. As you said they are inexpensive...about $10-15. I replace them every 2-3 months and I pour almost every day for 2-3 hours. I found adding the air tube/ snorkel pick ups that put the cartridges behind you make a world of differance. Most times I can't smell the odor at all. As for the monomer being filtered out while you can still smell the odor, I have no idea if they are related. I wonder what gases are released when you add salt ?? that seems to be the worst time for smogging the basement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_hide Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 Thanks Tubeman I replaced the cartridges today, I haven't poured yet but I'll see how it goes, Im not sure how good a fit my mask is so I might look into one with the intakes behind, makes more sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
