Respirators
Greg Hamaoka
Description
Collection
Title:
Respirators
Creator:
Greg Hamaoka
Date:
2/6/2001
Text:
Thanks to all who answered my posting. Here are the responses, as of
February 6, 2001. If I receive any more responses, I will post them.
Concerning the question brought up in Response 1, I would also be
interested in any studies. If anyone knows/have results of a study, please
post. I've checked MSDS sheets that we have and they say there is no
health risk. I have also checked out some carbon fiber manufacturer sites
and they state carbon fiber may cause irritation of the skin, eyes, and
respiratory tract. Here's a MSDS sheet from a company called FibreGlast
<URL Redacted> . I also located a site that lists
MSDS databases - <URL Redacted> . Pick one and type
in the product you're looking for.
Thanks again
Greg Hamaoka R.T.P.O.(c)
Orthotics Department
Bloorview MacMillan Centre
Toronto, Ontario
M4G-4R8
(416) 424-3826
Response 1
Greg, in theory we use a full face mask with exchangeable cartridges. We'd
be interested in what others are using. Do you know of any studies that
show the dangers of grinding carbon in the manner we do? It's sometimes
hard to convince people that this level of protection is appropriate.
Response 2
Hi Greg, we use the mask by 3M #8577. It has a P95 Particulte Rx: for
Nuisance level organic vapors. They are reasonably priced too
Response 3
1. want the mask to be the third line of protection. first, use material
where you don't have to grind them or use less toxic glues etc. if you
know your trim lines, don't put the materials there,etc. the second line
of protection is dust evacuation on your machines. the mask offers only a
small percentage of protection.
2. the kind of mask really needs to be professionally fit by one of them
so that the leakage can be minimized. I am not clear on the exact number
anymore, but it offers only about 10% protection from the outside dust,
so any leak will have a big effect. when they test us here, they have us
move around over a certain period of time while measuring the dust
particle concentration in the mask. we have to talk, and jog and bend over
and turn our heads from side to side and up and down while the machine
measures the dust leakage.
Response 4
We have a central vacuum system, besides using breathing protection.
If you want some hardcore info, call Springlite 800-344-0328. They make
carbon feet, and would probably know exactly what to use.
At one presentation, the person had latex gloves, goggles, and a
respirator.
Response 5
As you may know carbon fibers are a known carcinogen, and they are at their
most dangerous when you grind them. So it is very important to handle them
safely. I strongly recommend a hepa filter mask made especially for organic
vapors, Lab Safety Supply in Janesville Wisconsin (800 356 0783) has an
excellent model made by Survivaire. It is silicone and fits very well, I
like
to dual cartridge but some of the guys here like the single cartridge model
because they are a bit lighter. This company also has very good tech support
to help you choose the right product for the job.
If you use a dust mask you are kidding yourself. The really dangerous gasses
and fibers will either penetrate the fibers or just slide around the edge of
the mask, as most do not fit intimately enough.
Response 6
we use both dust masks and cartridge respirators. I hope you post your
replies.
Response 7
Just a suggestion.... of a great way to save your folks lives.
Keep using the breathing protection! Check out <URL Redacted>
look for part numbers G3376, G2754, G1163 you will be glad you did..... and
more so if you grind with a troutman.
Response 8
Hi there, I hope I can offer some assistance for you. Here at the Cancer
Centre in the Mould Room, we under went the 3M fit program for respirators
in requirement of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 training and fitting. We are using
the 3M half face respirator 6000 series. All filters must be NIOSH approved.
In answer to your questions on thinners such as alcohols, toluene, acetone,
turpentine we use the (F)OV (organic vapor) cartridge. For synthetic fibers
such as glass, vitrous fibers, rock wool, carbon we use N95 cartridge. And
for adhesives depending on the ingredients, any silicas or silicones we use
N95, epoxies we use OV (organic vapor), contact cement use the OV cartridge.
If you have any further questions you can contact 3M fax on demand line at
1-800-646-1655 or at www.3M.com/occsafety. I hope this helps.
February 6, 2001. If I receive any more responses, I will post them.
Concerning the question brought up in Response 1, I would also be
interested in any studies. If anyone knows/have results of a study, please
post. I've checked MSDS sheets that we have and they say there is no
health risk. I have also checked out some carbon fiber manufacturer sites
and they state carbon fiber may cause irritation of the skin, eyes, and
respiratory tract. Here's a MSDS sheet from a company called FibreGlast
<URL Redacted> . I also located a site that lists
MSDS databases - <URL Redacted> . Pick one and type
in the product you're looking for.
Thanks again
Greg Hamaoka R.T.P.O.(c)
Orthotics Department
Bloorview MacMillan Centre
Toronto, Ontario
M4G-4R8
(416) 424-3826
Response 1
Greg, in theory we use a full face mask with exchangeable cartridges. We'd
be interested in what others are using. Do you know of any studies that
show the dangers of grinding carbon in the manner we do? It's sometimes
hard to convince people that this level of protection is appropriate.
Response 2
Hi Greg, we use the mask by 3M #8577. It has a P95 Particulte Rx: for
Nuisance level organic vapors. They are reasonably priced too
Response 3
1. want the mask to be the third line of protection. first, use material
where you don't have to grind them or use less toxic glues etc. if you
know your trim lines, don't put the materials there,etc. the second line
of protection is dust evacuation on your machines. the mask offers only a
small percentage of protection.
2. the kind of mask really needs to be professionally fit by one of them
so that the leakage can be minimized. I am not clear on the exact number
anymore, but it offers only about 10% protection from the outside dust,
so any leak will have a big effect. when they test us here, they have us
move around over a certain period of time while measuring the dust
particle concentration in the mask. we have to talk, and jog and bend over
and turn our heads from side to side and up and down while the machine
measures the dust leakage.
Response 4
We have a central vacuum system, besides using breathing protection.
If you want some hardcore info, call Springlite 800-344-0328. They make
carbon feet, and would probably know exactly what to use.
At one presentation, the person had latex gloves, goggles, and a
respirator.
Response 5
As you may know carbon fibers are a known carcinogen, and they are at their
most dangerous when you grind them. So it is very important to handle them
safely. I strongly recommend a hepa filter mask made especially for organic
vapors, Lab Safety Supply in Janesville Wisconsin (800 356 0783) has an
excellent model made by Survivaire. It is silicone and fits very well, I
like
to dual cartridge but some of the guys here like the single cartridge model
because they are a bit lighter. This company also has very good tech support
to help you choose the right product for the job.
If you use a dust mask you are kidding yourself. The really dangerous gasses
and fibers will either penetrate the fibers or just slide around the edge of
the mask, as most do not fit intimately enough.
Response 6
we use both dust masks and cartridge respirators. I hope you post your
replies.
Response 7
Just a suggestion.... of a great way to save your folks lives.
Keep using the breathing protection! Check out <URL Redacted>
look for part numbers G3376, G2754, G1163 you will be glad you did..... and
more so if you grind with a troutman.
Response 8
Hi there, I hope I can offer some assistance for you. Here at the Cancer
Centre in the Mould Room, we under went the 3M fit program for respirators
in requirement of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 training and fitting. We are using
the 3M half face respirator 6000 series. All filters must be NIOSH approved.
In answer to your questions on thinners such as alcohols, toluene, acetone,
turpentine we use the (F)OV (organic vapor) cartridge. For synthetic fibers
such as glass, vitrous fibers, rock wool, carbon we use N95 cartridge. And
for adhesives depending on the ingredients, any silicas or silicones we use
N95, epoxies we use OV (organic vapor), contact cement use the OV cartridge.
If you have any further questions you can contact 3M fax on demand line at
1-800-646-1655 or at www.3M.com/occsafety. I hope this helps.
Citation
Greg Hamaoka, “Respirators,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/215960.
