Hi everyone,
I need your help. [xx(]
I just experienced a bad headache with rapid heartbeats after smelling acetone through my respirator, North 5500 while cleaning my airbrush. It works very well against other fumes except acetone. Why is that?
You need cartridges with charcoal in them to filter these types of chemicals.
Are you using a respirator designed to just keep out particulates like dust?
That is what it sounds like.
I just checked the cartridges on my respirator and they are North N7500-1 (OV - P100 HEPA & Organic Vapor). Am I supposed to get a different set? [%-)]
Then it sounds like the mask is not sealing sufficiently.
Have you tried tightening it more so it is tighter against the face?
Do you have a beard? If so the mask will never seal properly.
Yea, I have a beard. [sigh]
I, too have a beard, and there is a workaround. Slather your beard where the respirator contacts your face with KY Jelly. Use a lot of it. Tighten the respirator straps very tight, and test the seal. This is not a good, or long term fix, but it will work in a pinch.
Better yet, get a full face respirator, or invest in a good spraybooth that’s vented outside.
Couple of suggestions
A. When you put your respirator on, check it for seal - Put your respirator on and cover your filters (inlet valves) and try to breath in, then hold your breath for several seconds. If you have a good seal, the mask will suck down around your face and stay until you release your breath. If your mask releases before you release your breath, your mask is not sealed and you need to make adjustments. Even though in theory once you initially get the mask properly adjusted, it shouldn’t leak anymore when you use it, you still need to check the fit everytime you put your mask on.
B. How old are your filters? Activated charcoal will start slowly breaking down once it’s exposed to air and/or chemicals. The rate depends upon the chemicals it is exposed to but once it’s exposed, it will eventually break down and become useless. Storing the mask in an airtight bag will alleviate the problem somewhat. (when you’re finished using it, wipe the inside of the mask with a soft cloth to remove the moisture (you can end up with some interesting growths in there if you don’t & they ain’t good for your lungs either) and put it in a large zip lock or sealable plastic bag). If you’ve used your respirator for a while and suddenly start smelling the chemicals and or getting the symptoms you refer to - replace the filters immediatly! And I would recommend replacing the filters every 6 months or so whether you can detect a chemical smell or not.
What JViguers said;
You might need a full face resperator, they cost about $125
I agree. Couldn’t have said it any better. The only point that I differ on–and it’s really an opinion–is that if you are taking care of your respirator as qmiester suggested, then the filters should not have to be changed until you begin to smell contaminants inside the mask, or experience difficulty pulling air into the mask when you inhale. The cartridges on my respirator at work have been in place for over a year…
When cleaning your respirator, check the inhalation and exhalation valves. Remove the rubber valves from the seats and clean them in warm soap and water. Wipe off the valve seats to ensure the rubber seals perfectly around the seat. If the rubber valves are hosed-up (hard, brittle, not seated properly, torn, or missing), or if there’s dirt on the valve seat, the respirator is useless as a protective device.
Lastly, stay away from alcohol as a cleaning agent. It will dry out the silicone in the facepiece and cause the rubber to become brittle. Mild soap and warm water (not dishwashing detergent, either) is all that’s needed. Oh, and be sure to remove your cartridges before starting any cleaning operations.
And no, you don’t need a full-face respirator. But serious consideration should be given to getting a spray booth, and/or otherwise increasing the amount of available dilution ventilation, particularly if you intend to keep your beard.
Gip
JViguers,
You might want to check out this link to Swanny’s Site:
www.swannysmodels.com/FumeCan.html
His paint fume can might be an answer to your problem.
can you supply a brand name and model number for me, as I’m also in need of one very badly.
gary
Thanks for the suggestions. [:D]
I shaved my beard off last night and I look about 10 years younger…lol.
Gip - sorry about that, you’re probably right. It goes back to having being an NBC puke for 16 or so years. You get it pounded into your head that after a given amount of time in a combat area, the filters have to be replaced, even if chem weapons are not used (I want to say that the book said 90 days max before replacement (which could be lowered by the unit SOP). Of course any exposure to a chemical agent meant replacement ASAP. And I hadn’t given any thought about the chemicals most modelers come into contact with are somewhat milder than what a soldier or marine might face on the battlefield. Guess you could call it a Pavlovian reaction.
Acetone is extremely violatile, toxic and corrosive. It is great for cleaning instruments and vessels in a chemistry lab but for modeling purposes it’s probably an overkill. I would give up on it altogether and stick to regular lacquer thinner.
Acetone is so reactive it stripped my Badger Anthem airbrush of its chrome plating. The airbrush still works fine but its finish has been stripped.
I got the picture from this saftey supply site
http://www.websoft-solutions.net/
but any tool or sftey supply store should have them
Acetone is corrosive? News to me, been playing in it and cleaning tools and such with it for years.
Acetone has no effect on common metals, other than to remove grease or oil on the surface.
I use acetone everyday as a ski boot fitter. It is not corrosive. All it does is soften or melt plastic until plyable. Use a resperator when using. I also use it as a thinner with Squadron white putty to fill seams.[2c]
And how do you think it softens things? [?]
It dissolves nail polish, for goodness sake. Of course it’s corrosive!
Don’t confuse corrosion with oxidation.
What kills me is walking into a nail salon and choking on the fumes. When I ask how harmful the vapors are I am always told they are NOT harmful. Neither was cigeretts in the 60’s.