Thread: Fumes from CA and Nitrocellulose - remedy

Thanks Greg for the info. I think it was Pen Queen who also suffered from the CA fumes. Hope she is able to use this mask. I'm lucky I have a cast iron nose ha ha. Although I have my pen lathe set up under a large window in the shed, and have a fan directly behind me to blow the fumes out the window. Cheers

Hi Greg, is the filter you have, one of the type that has carbon inside it ?
I buy the carbon canisters for my Sundstrom mask from a local industrial paint supplier, for when I spray 2-pack finishes.I think the last one I got cost $26.
They come vacuum sealed, they recomend that once opened they are good for 48 hours. If I need to reuse mine, I remove it from the mask and put it in a clipseal bag and try and get as much air out as possible.
If I dont get back to a job for 3 or 4 days, I have reused them, they seem OK, I always use a new prefilter.
Realistically they probably last a lot longer than what they say, I guess what your guy said about "once you can smell the fumes its time for a new one" is a way to tell when its finished working.

A bit more info on the mask.

It is a 5500 30M North series half face mask. The Pad is 7506P2 and the filter is a N7500-1 (AS022330). It say on the instructions that it is a disposable particle, gas and combination (chemical) filter. The life of the filter depends on the type and concentration of contaminant, temperature and humidity of the air and the type of work being done. It says it must be replaced when you taste, small or sense the contaminant or when breathing becomes difficult. In any case it recommends changing after 6 months. The mask comes with a sealable storage bag to keep air away from it. There is nothing to say what type of chemicals are in the filter. The Type and Class is A1 P2. Meets Australian Standard 1716.

Hi,

How does the mask go with glasses? I have tried paper dust masks in the past and my glasses tend to fog up.

Michael

Hi Michael,
You see so many people using these masks, but they don't adjust them properly.
You must bend the nose piece around your nose so you don't breathe air through that portain of the Mask. The better Masks have 2 Rubbers that you have to stretch, to make the fit.
I have those type of Masks still, but I have a really good one now, possibly about the same as is spoken about on this Thread.
Before the good one, I would use the Paper masks for up to 3hrs.at a time.
I also have Glasses & a full Beard, & never had a problem.
It is really how you adjust them.

Michael

Paper masks are a waste of time if you are trying to exclude chemical fumes. You have to bite the bullet and get a proper mask that will stop the toxic fumes. Glasses? Mate I wear them all the time and the half face mask sits low enough on your nose to allow glasses to sit above - unless you wear the Ronnie Corbett glasses

Personally, I have found that the chemical mask has totally cut the fumes and I don't get a headache at all since wearing it.

Greg

Thanks guys,

I have been using cheap paper masks with one strap as a bit of extra protection against dust. I have seen too many of the older members of the wood turning club with respiratory problems caused by dust. Looks like I will be getting a decent mask for Christmas.

As for the chemical fumes, I try to avoid them like the plague. I worked as a paint chemist for 22 years and studies were always finding solvents and materials we had worked with for years were carcinogens, mutagens or just plain nasty.

I do most of my finishing now with oil, wax or water based coatings.