Cathy Sears on sat 2 nov 96
I remember reading a message on Clayart about studio safety a few months
ago. When looking for a dust mask to use, are all "NIOSH approved" masks
equal? I was looking at some disposable ones which claimed to protect
against "toxic dust and mists" but on the back the instructions
specifically read not to use them with asbestos-containing dusts and
mists. (Nothing about silica dust). They are NIOSH approved and comply
with OSHA regulations. Will these masks provide adequate protection?
TIA
Cathy
Kingston, Ontario
Kenneth D. Westfall on mon 4 nov 96
At 10:36 PM 11/2/96 +0000, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I remember reading a message on Clayart about studio safety a few months
>ago. When looking for a dust mask to use, are all "NIOSH approved" masks
>equal? I was looking at some disposable ones which claimed to protect
>against "toxic dust and mists" but on the back the instructions
>specifically read not to use them with asbestos-containing dusts and
>mists. (Nothing about silica dust). They are NIOSH approved and comply
>with OSHA regulations. Will these masks provide adequate protection?
>
>TIA
>
>Cathy
>Kingston, Ontario
Cathy you have only two lungs for a life time and even if you are careful
you are going to breath in some dust. Please Please. don't be cheep when it
come to protecting your lungs and health. Buy a half mask respirator that
uses disposable cartriges. You can get the cartriges to cover a multitude
of application from paint ,pesticide, organic vapor, acid and HEPA dust
filters. They are not very expensive, will last a life time and are
avalible all over the world from W.W. Grainger. I preticularly like the
North brand but I am sure the others a good as well. call 1-800-633-8487 to
locate the branch near you. No this is not a sells pitch for Grainger.
Kenneth
DON'T GET STUCK IN THE MUDPIES--K & T
JJHerb@aol.com on mon 4 nov 96
As many others are probably posting at this minute - Unless the dust mask or
cartridge says HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Absolute) it is not a clay dust
mask. The only filters that are effective against airborne clay particles
are HEPA filters. Conversely, a HEPA mask is no protection at all against
paint or solvent vapors. Unfortunately, protective equipment is not as
easily available as it should be. Industrial suppliers are a sure source.
Your local hardware will probably not have what you need. In this case, Ace
is not the Place. Also, if you leave the mask hanging in the studio/glaze
room - it will collect a significant amount of what you are trying to keep
from breathing in the INSIDE surfaces. So then you blow on it to get the
dust out. Maybe Not. Good dust control at all sources, the right equipment
properly maintained, and thoughtful use will help protect you from these
hazards. Last but not least, if you have any respiratory or heart problems,
talk to your doctor before you use the respirator.
Joseph Herbert
JJHerb@AOL,COM
JJHerb@aol.com on thu 21 nov 96
After my previous "unfriendly" posts, I offer this as compensation:
Trend-lines, a woodworking tool mail order outfit in Revere MA, offers a 3M
Half-face (no eye covers) respirator for $14.95. HEPA filters for this mask
are an additional $6.95. shipping and handling is $7.50. They also sell a
Hitachi 4 = inch angle grinder for $69.95 with a guard and wheel. I did not
see a full face shield, which you should use with the grinder along with the
respirator. You can do better on the respirator locally in you live in a
large town. Saving the best for last: the 512b1b catalog has 5 - 20 mm
diameter dremel tool blades BONDED DIAMOND WHEELS with an 1/8 inch mandrel
for $9.95. If you have a phone and a credit card, 1-800-767-9999. The
respirator isn t that good a deal, the grinder is not bad, the diamond wheels
are like-you-will-never-find again.
Got all the way through without being surly.
Joseph Herbert
JJHerb@aol.com
Hanne Bjorklund on wed 14 apr 99
Hi John Jensen,
Re: Your much appreciated comment on my suggested method of wheel
sand-papering / leveling the bottoms of un-turnable pots, while using a
mask.
Working with clay involves clay-dust, and this is unavoidable, - even in
my own no-walls, windy under-the-house, hillside workshop. If I don't
create it, it just blows in.
You indicate that 'a mask is not really an adequate protection against
the dust of dry clay, unless it is a super dooper mask'.
I am about to make a heavy investment in a super dooper mask. You know, -
- one of those double-nostril contraptions that relieve you of a
substantial amount of your hard earned cash, AND make you look like an
extraterrestrial insect, =TOTAL NERD! Just what any woman wants!
So here's my question: What are the specifications that I should look for,
before investing in a mask?
HANNE
bjorklund@clear.net.nz
PS: Are you a fellow Dane?
A million years ago I entered this world as a Jensen in Copenhagen.
Dorothy Weber on thu 15 apr 99
I just read your mail to Jenson, thought I might add some info. You can order
these respirators from LAB SAFETY SUPPLY phone 1-800-356-0783 or online info
at www. Lab Safety.com I called them and spoke to one of their techs and
gave in detail the materials we were working with. I ended up with 3m 7000
series respirator, half mask with p100 filter cartridge rated 99.97%
efficient against solid and liquid particles including oil. Must remind them
to order the retainer caps to go along with the respirator. You do look a
bit like someone from outerspace, but its livable mask, I wear glasses they
have not been a problem.
Hope this is helpful
Dorothy
Manakin-Sabot, Va
Philip Schroeder on thu 15 apr 99
Hanne,
I beg to differ. I think you will look totally sexy in your new dust mask!
You have to remember Silicosis, which you are trying to prevent with the
mask, is not very pretty. In fact, it can kill you.
Phil Schroeder in Chicago
May Davies on thu 15 apr 99
I believe the platelet particle size is .3 microns (please correct me if I
err), so your respirator cartridges need to be micro particle filters. 3M
makes a good product... you are looking at around $50, and you may need to
special order a size extra small, as it is hard to find even size small
respirators in the hardware store since so few women buy them. I had a real
problem finding one for myself, but proper fit is imperative since those
particles will sneak right past a seal gap. I can tell you silicosis horror
stories and lots of other 'studio lore' :)
May
elizabeth l gowen on fri 16 apr 99
What are the options for someone with lung disease(i.e. asthma) that can't
breath through the mask( the resistance is too great) when mixing glazes? In
the hospital where you were fit for special TB masks those with asthma they
said couldn't use them it made it too hard to breath, so they kept them out
of the rooms with TB patients. Staying out of the studio, or having some one
mix the tests and the glazes is not an option. Any input would be
appreciated. I know wood workers have outside air fed space suit type
set-ups. Anyone use one?
Liz Gowen
NJ, USA
-----Original Message-----
From: May Davies
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Thursday, April 15, 1999 12:20 PM
Subject: Re: dust masks
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I believe the platelet particle size is .3 microns (please correct me if I
>err), so your respirator cartridges need to be micro particle filters. 3M
>makes a good product... you are looking at around $50, and you may need to
>special order a size extra small, as it is hard to find even size small
>respirators in the hardware store since so few women buy them. I had a real
>problem finding one for myself, but proper fit is imperative since those
>particles will sneak right past a seal gap. I can tell you silicosis horror
>stories and lots of other 'studio lore' :)
>
>May
>
Bruce Girrell on sat 17 apr 99
Liz Gowen wrote:
> I know wood workers have outside air fed space suit type
> set-ups. Anyone use one?
Liz,
I have not used one, but can provide some information about them. You don't
quite have to wear NASA designer chic. What they have is a full-face mask
with a filtered air feed to the mask. The flow of air keeps the face shield
defogged.
One kind has batteries, fan, and filter mounted at the top of the facemask
(which has a rubberized seal around your face). The rechargeable batteries
are supposed to provide 4 hours of use. Weight of the unit is only 1.25 lbs.
Price: US$139.95.
A second type has a fanny pack to hold the batteries, fan, and filter with a
hose up to a hard hat/face shield combination. The rechargeable batteries
are supposed to last 8 hours. Weight of headgear is 1.8 lbs. Price:
US$349.00.
The products are available from
Klingspor Corporation
P.O. Box 5069
Hickory, NC 28603-5069
(800) 228-0000 (yes, this is correct)
These folks have lots of other items useful for clay work - room-sized HEPA
filters, floor mats, glue bottles (slip trailers), flap sanders, lots of
contoured sanding thingies, grabber pads, HVLP sprayers, SandFlex blocks,
and more. The SandFlex blocks are the best thing I've ever seen for removing
the really tough black marks from raku fired pots.
Bruce "more than you wanted to know" Girrell
Evan Dresel on sun 18 apr 99
Your best bet I believe would be a "powered air-purifying respirator".
These are designed for asbestos workers and are not inexpensive but will
provide the greatest breathing protection for dust short of going to
supplied-air. I think they only come in full-face models (cover your
eyes, too) That will restrict your vision a little but it is easier to
get a good fit and is more protective. These critters have the filter
in a pack that fits on your belt. Also in the pack is a battery and a
fan to pull air through the filter and supply it up a tube to your mask.
This system not only makes it easier to breathe but creates a positive
pressure in the facepiece. Any tiny leak in the seal around your face
will allow air to blow out, keeping particles from entering. With a
normal "negative pressure" respirator you suck contamination in through
the leak.
In your situation I would run out and buy one of these or else talk to
an industrial health professional who can better assess your situation.
Disclaimer: I am not in the health industry but I am trained for
hazardous waste site work which is where I learned this stuff and got to
play with the cool toys. (Being zipped up in a gas tight suit is a very
weird feeling -- glad I don't actually need to do that).
-- Evan in W. Richland WA where the weather is glorious and the pup was
dying for a swim in the canal when I got home today.
elizabeth l gowen wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> What are the options for someone with lung disease(i.e. asthma) that can't
> breath through the mask( the resistance is too great) when mixing glazes? In
> the hospital where you were fit for special TB masks those with asthma they
> said couldn't use them it made it too hard to breath, so they kept them out
> of the rooms with TB patients. Staying out of the studio, or having some one
> mix the tests and the glazes is not an option. Any input would be
> appreciated. I know wood workers have outside air fed space suit type
> set-ups. Anyone use one?
> Liz Gowen
> NJ, USA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: May Davies
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Date: Thursday, April 15, 1999 12:20 PM
> Subject: Re: dust masks
>
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >I believe the platelet particle size is .3 microns (please correct me if I
> >err), so your respirator cartridges need to be micro particle filters. 3M
> >makes a good product... you are looking at around $50, and you may need to
> >special order a size extra small, as it is hard to find even size small
> >respirators in the hardware store since so few women buy them. I had a real
> >problem finding one for myself, but proper fit is imperative since those
> >particles will sneak right past a seal gap. I can tell you silicosis horror
> >stories and lots of other 'studio lore' :)
> >
> >May
> >
Stephen Fox on sun 18 apr 99
You may wish to look into the positive pressure, air filter intake masks
used by woodworkers.At 07:48 AM 4/16/99 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>What are the options for someone with lung disease(i.e. asthma) that can't
>breath through the mask( the resistance is too great) when mixing glazes? In
>the hospital where you were fit for special TB masks those with asthma they
>said couldn't use them it made it too hard to breath, so they kept them out
>of the rooms with TB patients. Staying out of the studio, or having some one
>mix the tests and the glazes is not an option. Any input would be
>appreciated. I know wood workers have outside air fed space suit type
>set-ups. Anyone use one?
>Liz Gowen
>NJ, USA
>-----Original Message-----
>From: May Davies
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>Date: Thursday, April 15, 1999 12:20 PM
>Subject: Re: dust masks
>
>
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>I believe the platelet particle size is .3 microns (please correct me if I
>>err), so your respirator cartridges need to be micro particle filters. 3M
>>makes a good product... you are looking at around $50, and you may need to
>>special order a size extra small, as it is hard to find even size small
>>respirators in the hardware store since so few women buy them. I had a real
>>problem finding one for myself, but proper fit is imperative since those
>>particles will sneak right past a seal gap. I can tell you silicosis horror
>>stories and lots of other 'studio lore' :)
>>
>>May
>>
>
>
Robert Fox on thu 30 jun 05
Hi, I was just wanted to know about how often I need to replace the filters
on my dust mask?
Thank You.
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