Richard Mahaffey on wed 26 may 04
Hello all,
It is true that the respirator is superior to the dust mask, but it is
untrue that all of them are good for fumes. The filter or cartridge
is what determines the type of airborne contaminant that it will
protect you from breathing. One would most likely need separate
filters (cartridges) to use for vapor such as ferric chloride or
sulfate and for dusts from glaze mixing, pot sanding, and other dust
making jobs. Make sure that you have the correct filter to protect you
as the world's most expensive respirator will only work with the
correct filter or cartridge.
Best,
Rick Mahaffey
TCC Art Dept.
Tacoma, WA 98466
May Luk on fri 28 may 04
Hiya;
I have a respirator [the pig nose type with expensive filter] and I found
that there's condensation inside the respirator when I use it- very
uncomfortable in hot weather. Is this suppose to happen? I don't think I was
drooling. There's not a ceramic lure in sight. It leaves a mark around my
face-not very good going to the pub after studio.
For now, I just use a 3M [N90] mask and space out my mixing in the far
corner of the studio, on a friday; spritz myself and all around with water
mist; wash my face and leave right away. Come monday, I do a mopping and wet
wipe before I start [suggestions by Lili] I do the same thing disposing
empty bags and garbage. I am not making any recommandation of what I do. I
make too little glaze/clay in large volume in general.
I found that it's quite dusty loading kiln. I'm touching a lot of dry glaze
and I always do a lot of focusing on the spacing and fitting and
re-arranging with the wares-the kiln puzzle- I call it. Moving and removing
the shelves. I have to wet sponge myself a lot and do a lot of water misting
and mopping afterwards. Anybody wear a mask when they load kilns?
The free leaflet; 'Control of exposure to silica dust in small potteries'
very informative. Things they don't tell you in school. It's available from
the HSE. www.hse.gov.uk
Regards
May
London, UK
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