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face masks--respirators for dust protection

updated sat 17 jan 04

 

Dave Finkelnburg on fri 16 jan 04


Randy,
My compliments to you for using the right sort of personal protective
equipment! Also, for posting a link to a reputable supplier of such gear.
The kind of respirator you use seals properly and truly protects you from
dangerous dust particles that can harm your lungs.
I shudder when I see people using disposable respirators while mixing
clay or spraying glaze. Disposable respirators, the paper kind, are meant
to protect people only from tiny amounts of "nuisance" dust. The clouds of
particulate that come from spraying glaze, even with a spray booth, or from
dumping bags of clay in a clay mixer, are much more than nuisance dust.
Heavy dust exposure simply overwhelms the inadequate seal on disposable
respirators.
Thanks for posting the information, and the links!
Yours for safer studios,
Dave Finkelnburg

----- Original Message -----
From: "Randy O'Brien"
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 7:44 PM
> You can find lots and lots of respirators (many come in multiple sizes) at
> Lab Safety Supply http://www.labsafety.com . I spray my glazes and spend
> about 4 hours a day wearing a respirator. The bridge of my nose used to
get
> very sore from the mask and the deep creases stayed on my face for hours
> afterwards. I got a North full face respirator from Lab Safety which is a
> pleasure to use. You can see it at
>
http://www.labsafety.com/store/product_group.asp?dept_id=29491&cat_prefix=4W
> A . Most potters use a half mask respirator. The full face respirator
> has a safety shield for your eyes and makes contact around your face from
> the chin to forehead. There is no pressure on the bridge of your nose.
It's
> well worth the price.