| Author | Message | ||
     Torquehd |
With all the sanding, grinding, cutting, painting, and mixing of resins i've been doing lately, I find myself thinking about upgrading from an N95 to something more substantial. I'd like to have peace of mind, knowing I'm wearing a respirator that keeps carcinogens out of my lungs. I'd like to get a mask that's not disposable but somewhat comfortable. Is anybody knowledgeable in this field? | ||
| Aesquire |
http://autobodystore.com/forum/showthread.php?1989 9-Fresh-Air-Respirators-Hobby-Air-vs-SAS-and-how-d o-you-weld-with-one-(long) You may want a fresh air system. I'm not so worried about carcinogens, as becoming allergic. 'glass work is a bit hazardous, and it's not just the fibers, it's the resins. There have been a lot of partly finished fiberglass airplanes sold when the builder finds himself allergic to his project. | ||
| Ourdee |
Racal helmets. I used one with a fresh air supply in a foundry core room when I ran hot box blowers making sand cores. Also used them on cold boxes with TEA gas. An air line ran to a vortex unit on my waste. The cooled air ran from there to the rear of the helmet. It was a life saver in more than just breathable air. It was almost an air-conditioner for my head. That was one hot work environment. | ||
| Torquehd |
Thanks gentlemen. I'll do some looking into a fresh air system. So the Racal isn't a fresh air unit, the filtration happens as the air enters the helmet? (Message edited by torquehd on December 29, 2013) | ||
| Steeleagle |
Supplied air is the ideal way to go, but a well-fitted half-face tight-fitting respirator is typical for most industrial exposures. 3M and North are a couple of manufacturers, and they have plenty of good reference info to make the proper selection. These have removable/replaceable filters you attach and replace as they get plugged or the hazard changes. For use of a negative pressure mask like these, OSHA requires a test of your pulmonary system to make sure the added stress of a negative respirator doesn't overtax your ability to breath and therefore create a different hazard. Since your lungs have to pull air though the filter, it does require more effort by your lungs, but not unlike the filtering facepieces you've been using. A supplied air system has other requirements and issues. I'm not as familiar with those, but again, there's plenty of good info out there by the manufacturers, most probably due to liability! http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3M-PPE -Safety-Solutions/Personal-Protective-Equipment/Pr oducts/Product-Catalog/?N=5548558&rt=c3 http://northsafety.com/TriggerWorkflow.aspx?Workfl owModuleGUID=a3c3bf34-f500-45aa-a73f-13a246669a21& Alias=NSUS&SB_ContentItemGuid=b55fb755-d4a7-40dc-8 e76-f21a2d582782&KeepSession=True&Tags:PC%20Tags:P C_ItemGuid=648692b9-c72a-4846-b4e4-54428d79524d} | ||
| Ourdee |
The Racal: I used both types. The helmet shells were the same. One type had a battery on the belt and a fan and filter in the rear of the helmet. The fresh air had the air-hose to belt held unit that had a hose that ran to the back of the helmet, no need for a filter and fan. I don't see the fresh air hose system that I used on their site. We had some other issues with people that spent time in the room where the alarm system for the CO monitor for the fresh air being supplied would go off. The idiots would silence the system because; a. it was disturbing b. addressing the issue would interfere with production Just a heads up. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
I wouldnt worry about it. The apocalypse isn't that far off. | ||
| Griffmeister |
For use of a negative pressure mask like these, OSHA requires a test of your pulmonary system to make sure the added stress of a negative respirator doesn't overtax your ability to breath and therefore create a different hazard. Since your lungs have to pull air though the filter, it does require more effort by your lungs, but not unlike the filtering facepieces you've been using. Besides being easier on the lungs, a positive pressure system can compensate for fit issues with the mask. Good air blowing out means less chance of sucking in bad air. Placement of the air inlet can be important. Where I work, the inlet is on an outside wall a reasonable distance from the paint shop. Of course there's a driveway along that wall too. Every once in a while some truck driver making a delivery will park right under the inlet and leave their engine running while they find out where to unload. You should see how fast the painter comes out of the room then. |
