The right mask for resin fume protection?

Last board I made I passed out cold ( hit the floor chin first) about an hour after glassing the fins on in an enclosed garage under the house. I think it’s time for vapor protection. Lowe’s sells a mask in the paint dept featuring disposable cartridges which offers protection against “organic vapors” for about 30.00. Is this the mask I need? I make very few boards but after the fainting episode I gained a new respect for the toxins to which we expose ourselves.

Yes- that will do it.

The type I use come in different sizes. If it that one comes in different sizes, try them on and test with something harmless that smells before using it in a real working situation; i.e., use perfume, food, etc. Roll your neck around, saying the alphabet - No gaps should develop letting the smell in.

Best,

Herb Bean

Passed out cold? Maaan, that’s definitely telling you something. Copied below is something I sent a guy who emailed me asking this very same question.

Speaking for myself, I like half-face type mask with both particulate filters and organic vapor cartridges, roughly $20-30 US from many makers including Norton, AO Safety, 3M and others. One example here: http://www.3m.com/intl/ca/english/about_us/press_releases/pnews02-025.html though I find the Norton and AO masks a whole lot more comfortable. Try them for fit, think about how they will feel after a few hours. I have and like this model here: http://www.acehardware.com/sm-ao-safety-economy-twin-cartridge-respirator–pi-1290522.html though the straps kinda wear out and lose their stretch after a while. Comfortable and seems to seal well on my ugly mug. I think they use a more standard respirator cartridge ( they are replacable, you see) than the Norton or 3M, though I’m only familiar with the cheap ones. Also try you local paint guy, they use them a lot. The Organic Vapor cartridges are good for pulling most any carbon-based vapor out of your breathing air, like resin fumes, acetone, paint and thinner, etc. Funny you should mention this, actually, as I was using a styrene ( I think, smelled like it) paint deglosser on a restaurant cellar floor today and really wished I had brought my mask along. I especially like the masks for working with real nasty vapors like those in Formica cement and some of the better metal paints, which seems to happen all too often. hope that’s of use doc…

i use a 3M R-6111 for all my poly resin work (and shaping, too…a simple dust mask isn’t enough for me). bought it at lowes…for about $30…this is what you want. get the smallest one that fits you comfortably. if you smell any fumes at all, it either doesn’t fit you right or is not on properly. try not to kill off too many more brain cells…they don’t grow back.