What kind of dust respirator?

[AldoSPyro]

I just started working with some basic bp chemicals, and i noticed they are very dusty and messy. I was wondering what kind of dust respirator most people wear when handling powdered chemicals, and mill powder? Those common dust respirators they sell in most stores are total crap, they are much to large and barely stop any dust.

 

Any suggestions would be welcome

 

-AldoSpyro

[dagabu]

I am a big fan of the 3M 5301 respirator, it has replaceable dust filters and with an adapter, you can change out carts as well.

[asdercks]

I use one of this when I handle like the really toxic chems

 

for the rest of chems I just use a regular dust mask

[AldoSPyro]

I use one of this when I handle like the really toxic chemsScreenshot_2014-10-10-11-42-53.jpg

 

for the rest of chems I just use a regular dust mask

lol i have that same respirator

[MrB]

If your using something like this:

www.upd.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Dust-Mask.jpg/img]

Then your using the wrong stuff. It's better then nothing... But only just.

Get a real particle filter. You don't need, no, i strongly encourage not using a activated carbon one, since it will filter out warning-signs such as some smoke smells, and other reactions that we can get alerted to by smell before any other sense can pick up on it, but the "regular" dust masks, they are barely more effective then your nose-hairs. Which is why they turn just as black on the inside as the outside.

 

And wear eye protection. We don't need solids scratching the surface of your eyes.

B!

[dagabu]

Not liking the ability to smell stuff B, that means the chems are getting through too.

[MrB]

The thing is, the toxic stuff we are afraid of isn't vapors. It's solids that we don't want to breath in, or want to get on our skin. A overheating bit of electronic gear that is sending out smoke signals, or MgAl that is reacting, and so on, sends out critical smells that can save your life.

If you DO deal with toxic stuff that may well be vapors, then of course, head on out and get an activated carbon filter for your unit. But i have to admit, i wouldn't for the reasons mentioned, use them for "most" solvents we use. I'd much rather went them out, and make sure i don't work with them for long enough to suffer brain damage... These ARE toxic, but in a very different way.

B!

[dagabu]

Hmmm, to each his own, I will stay with the carts i am using.

[rogeryermaw]

i work outside or in my fume hood as much as possible. for larger scale things like black powder, i just lightly oil a rag, sandwich that in a t shirt and wear it like a bandana. same thing i use when sanding drywall or floating a floor.

[MrB]

What?! I demand to bee seen as an authority on this. Obey, at once.

Actually... I'm happy if your using anything better then the dust masks. I'll continue to encurage the use of "plain" particle filters, over the activated carbon ones, But only since i don't see the solvents as a real toxic substance. We know it's there, we can smell it, and we can use ventilation to make sure we don't keep inhaling it for hours on end. Barium dust may very well be a toxic issue we could run in to, and inhaling it, isn't good. Barium vapors... Less likely. And so on. But either way, using a good filter, regardless of what cartridge you go with, is important. While a improvised oil-soaked rag might work, a proper filter isn't that expensive. I got 3.

Particle filters need to be replaced when they start getting harder to breath through. Activated carbon has an expiery date, and needs more frequent replacement. Of course, if you don't replace them, they should still do the job of a P100 particle filter.

B!

[mikeee]

Depending on the chemicals you are working with will determine the level of air filtration you will need.

Some chemicals are highly toxic while other basic compounds we work with are not that bad.

While processing BP I like to wear a surgical style mask to reduce the charcoal dust from getting in the nose and lungs.

The next level up from there is an N95 mask for other chemical concerns.

The best level of protection is a full face respirator with cartridge filters.

Working outside or under an exhaust hood will reduce the level of exposure to many of these concerns.

You also need to take proper precautions to protect your hands from contacting some toxic chemicals we work with on some compounds.

[nater]

For non-toxic chemicals, I wear an N-95. I tried using a standard surgical mask at first, but airfloat charcoal still gets through. For toxic chemicals, I use the MSA half face respirator pictured above with a cartridge rated for solvents and toxic dust.

[schroedinger]

I can just recommend the 3M 7502 mask. Really god fit and can be equipped with every filter you want also additional particle filters are available.

One thing more i really like about it, is that even after a couple hours of wearing it doesn't start to get ee on the inside or relly hot, very god circulation.

Edited October 11, 2014 by schroedinger

[taiwanluthiers]

surgical masks are not intended to protect you from dust or anything hazardous. It is intended for medical or food service workers to prevent their own body fluids from making others sick. N95 masks protect from particles but it is very uncomfortable.... 3M respirator with p100 filters are great for dust. I doubt most pyro chems have organic vapor that would require a charcoal filter. They are designed for people spraying paint and finishes rather than just dust.

[LiamPyro]

I've got a respirator that my father had in the garage. He said it is for solvent fumes, so I new it would filter dust as well. I figured it would be good to wear when working with large amounts of charcoal or particularly toxic chemicals. I also use it when working with strong solvents like acetone and sometimes denatured alcohol. It works great, but am beginning to wonder if it is overkill for dust.

 

The thing is, the toxic stuff we are afraid of isn't vapors. It's solids that we don't want to breath in, or want to get on our skin. A overheating bit of electronic gear that is sending out smoke signals, or MgAl that is reacting, and so on, sends out critical smells that can save your life.

B!

But wait... smoke is made up of particles, so wouldn't any dust respirator that can filter out really fine particles also filter out smoke?

[MrB]

But wait... smoke is made up of particles, so wouldn't any dust respirator that can filter out really fine particles also filter out smoke?

The smell of stuff on fire tends to be gases.

B!

[starxplor]

Sorry for resurreting this old thread, but I didn't want to be flamed for not searching/reading old posts, heh.

 

Are these 3M and MSA respirators still the most common? I noticed the 3M ones have sizes but the MSA do not, is this something to worry about? And finally, does anyone with a beard or goatee have one to recommend, I understand this level of facial hair can cause problems with respirators.

 

Thanks for any input for someone preparing to mill his first BP this spring and wants to stay safe.

[MrB]

You really should try them on, to see what fits you. And yes, facial-hair might be an issue.

B!

[OldMarine]

I use a 3M respirator and I have a large beard. I keep a bottle of aloe Vera gel and apply it to the rim of the mask to seal it. Takes some getting used to but doesn't degrade the mask and leaves your skin feeling FABULOUS!

Happy New Year!

[MadMat]

IT sounds like you have the right idea by looking into dust respirator. Last night I measured out a batch of BP and loaded it into the ball mill. I thought "what the hell, I don't need to use my respirator for just this". Well this morning, I have a nasty sore throat and am blowing black boogers out of my nose.

 

"Don't be an idiot like me and use your PPE"!

[starxplor]

You really should try them on, to see what fits you. And yes, facial-hair might be an issue.

B!

 

I will check out my local lowes/homedepot and try on a few from different brands, if I can find it, I will try on the ones I am specifically looking at, but otherwise, I will have to use similar brand/model just for sizing.

 

 

I use a 3M respirator and I have a large beard. I keep a bottle of aloe Vera gel and apply it to the rim of the mask to seal it. Takes some getting used to but doesn't degrade the mask and leaves your skin feeling FABULOUS!

Happy New Year!

 

I will have to try this out, thanks for the suggestion.

 

IT sounds like you have the right idea by looking into dust respirator. Last night I measured out a batch of BP and loaded it into the ball mill. I thought "what the hell, I don't need to use my respirator for just this". Well this morning, I have a nasty sore throat and am blowing black boogers out of my nose.

 

"Don't be an idiot like me and use your PPE"!

 

Yeah, I am going to be doing all this on-site a few hundred miles from where I live, so I have only done the charcoal cooking part so far, but just from transfering from can to bucket has caused discolored mucus, bad taste in mouth, and even continued scent contamination after showering. Not something I am looking to continue nor make worse when I involve other chems as well.

[OldMarine]

I just got another 3M mask from Home Depot for work and the new headgear sucks mightily. You must hold the mask against your face while simultaneously hooking 2 straps behind your head.

I ain't got 3 hands so...

[starxplor]

This is the one currently on the top of my list. If I can find a 3K series to try on for fitting locally, I will probably be ordering one next weekend. Likely from ebay as I see them listed under 90$.

 

http://us.msasafety.com/Air-Purifying-Respirators-%28APR%29/Full-Face-Masks/Advantage%C2%AE-3200-Full-Facepiece-Respirator/p/000100000300001350

[OldMarine]

That mask looks nice. As long as the face shield doesn't fog up constantly as it does on a Scott air-pack type setup it'd be ideal.

[memo]

I go to the paint store and buy paint mask that are made from cloth and fiber, they are cheap and throw away. they do a good job

 

memo