Respiratory question


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carbon man
carbon man
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Thanks Hanaldo. Great reply! 
Hanaldo
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Then yes, as long as you aren't working in a confined space then it should be sufficient. 

As far as getting a whiff of the resin every now and then, there can be a number of reasons. Facial hair, straps on the mask not tight enough, old filters, etc. Styrene isn't THAT extreme, I believe the regulations where I am state that if you work with it for more than 8 hours a day 5 times a week then you should be ensuring exposure less than 50ppm. 50-100ppm can be described as having a detectable odour when you walk into the work space, but not so strong that it irritates the nose, throat or eyes. This is a bit subjective because some people will feel irritation at 100ppm, some won't feel any irritation until at least 350ppm. In any case, getting a whiff of the stuff every now and then is harmless. It takes prolonged exposure to do any damage, and if you can take your mask off at the end of the day and still smell then styrene then you likely haven't exceeded the maximum exposure limit (your sense of smell dims with exposure, so people who have exceeded exposure will no longer be able to smell the vapour). If you feel any irritation at all, or if it feels like you have a blocked nose, or you feel vertigo (a bit dizzy like you've had some beers), then you have exceeded exposure limits and you should take measures to ensure it doesn't keep happening. 

As for the long term effects, currently it isn't classed as carcinogenic to humans. Neurological damage is done when exposure limit is exceeded, but this damage will repair itself if exposure is reduced. So it is quite similar to drinking too much alcohol. Drink too much and you will do some damage, stop drinking too much and you will be fine. 
Edited 8 Years Ago by Hanaldo
carbon man
carbon man
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Sorry I forgot to put that but. They are moldex organic vapour a2 filters 
Hanaldo
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It's impossible to answer that without knowing what filter cartridges the respirator has. If it has organic vapour cartridges then yes, it should be sufficient. If it only has dust cartridges then no, it's not doing anything for the vapours. 

The alternative is an air-fed mask. In theory these are better, but to be honest I have my concerns about the oil vapour coming from the compressor. I prefer to wear a respirator and ensure plenty of ventilation. 
carbon man
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Warren (Staff) (18/01/2017)
Ideally you want to look at your "regular" exposure to the styrene if you do it a lot or as a business.  Depending on where you are based, you will probably find industrial exposure limits for styrene (and other similar solvents) detailed which you can refer to. 

In most cases, occasional users working in a well ventilated environment with a good quality mask with appropriate filters will unlikely ever exceed any safe working limits.


So would you say this mask is sufficient? Is there anything better I could be using. Thanks 
Warren (Staff)
Warren (Staff)
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Ideally you want to look at your "regular" exposure to the styrene if you do it a lot or as a business.  Depending on where you are based, you will probably find industrial exposure limits for styrene (and other similar solvents) detailed which you can refer to. 

In most cases, occasional users working in a well ventilated environment with a good quality mask with appropriate filters will unlikely ever exceed any safe working limits.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant
Hanaldo
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Yeh I would still be wearing a respirator then. I always work outside in the fresh air, if I do any inside work then I make sure to wear a respirator. 

Can't tell if yours is good by looking at the picture, but all it needs is organic vapour cartridges rather than the simple dust gauze filters. I believe they are generally called 'A1' filters while the dust filters are called 'P2', though that may be an Australian thing. 
carbon man
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It's in a 10ft x 10ft shed low roof. But I have made a extractor hood above where I work. So fairly ventilated 
Hanaldo
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Do you work in a confined space or a space with no ventilation? 
carbon man
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Is this mask and filters safe and ok to use with the resin pictured. 

I can sometimes get a wiff of the resin with the mask on. And more than anything worry about long term effects. 

I use it Mabe 2 hours at a time about 5 times a week. 

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Uploads/Images/f9be9350-f98e-468f-9d11-a069.jpghttp://www.talkcomposites.com/Uploads/Images/029d6059-c093-41c8-8113-297f.jpghttp://www.talkcomposites.com/Uploads/Images/c629a4f2-add5-490e-ba27-38a6.jpg


Thanks 
GO

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