By Tekenduis on Den of angels
Tekenduis is a Certified Respiratory Protection Tester/Trainer with extensive training in respiratory protection. They work at a company where the staff are exposed on a daily basis to some of the most harmful chemicals in industry. They can and will be exposed to things like silica, isocyanates and cyanide gas. Their short and long-term health is in Tekenduis hands and they take that very seriously. Deadly seriously, in fact.
What Is Respiratory Protection?
Respiratory protection is a part of your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed to filter or block harmful substances from reaching your respiratory system. The hobbyists primary form of respiratory protection is the respirator. There are a great number of types of respirators, some useful only for certain applications (see more on this below). The two most common respirators for hobbyists are the disposable respirator and the half-face respirator.
The half-face respirator is a mask that covers your nose and mouth, and has cartridges that clip on, screw on, or otherwise attach to ports on the mask.
The disposable respirator looks like a dust mask or surgeon's mask. It is, as the name implies, made to be disposed of after a short period of time.
Why do I need it?
Many of the items that we work with as doll customisers are toxic and many of them are cumulatively toxic. You may feel ill for a while and then get better, but the sorts of diseases that can be caused by sanding processes and spraying processes can come back to haunt you many years down the road. These products can cause Cancer and Pneumoconiosis. Cancer may be treatable if caught early enough. Pneumoconiosis, which is respiratory diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and coalworker's "black lung" disease, is NOT TREATABLE. Your doctors will work hard to make you comfortable while you die. That is the most they will be able to do for you. If you get Pneumoconiosis you will DIE.
Are you scared? You should be. This is life and death. Do not play Russian Roulette with your health.
What do I need?
That depends on the application that you are going to be using your respiratory protection for.
Sanding
For sanding applications (including sanding of resin, apoxie and other sculpting materials, and wood), you need a respirator that provides at least N95 level protection. It should say N95 somewhere on the mask itself. If it doesn't say, it is not good enough. There is a scale to protection levels and anything above N95 is also acceptable (of course).
The levels are:
N95
P95
N100
P100
What does this mean? The prefix ahead of the number will tell you if the mask is Oil Proof or Not.
The number will tell you the percentage effectiveness of the filter against particles of less than 0.3 Microns. An N100 or P100 filter may also be known as a HEPA filter.
On the bright side, having a small supply of these types of respirators will mean that you are following CDC and WHO recommendations for infectious disease outbreaks, which may or may not include the Inevitable Zombie Apocalypse.
P100 filters are also effective in welding applications.
N95 and above filters are most commonly found in the disposable variety and may also be referred to as "dust masks" or "surgical masks". Remember, if it doesn't say N95 (or one of the other codes listed above) it is not good enough!
Spray
This includes all types of spray applications, whether you are spraying sealant (like MSC or Testors) or airbrushing or spraying paints.
The process of spraying releases aerosols (and this is true whether or not you are using an aerosol spray can product. Airbrushing paint creates aerosols too!) for which an N95 filter is not effective.
At this point, you will need to move into a mask that protects you against Organic Vapours AND has an N95 filter. This will mean moving into a half-face respirator.
Your respirator is no longer disposable and can be used again and again without ill effect; the only thing that will need replacing is your filter and (if applicable) your prefilter. Some respirator brands have an N95 filter built right into the Organic Vapour cartridge, but I recommend looking for one that does not, for ease of replacement. Cartridges and filters have different life spans and it is more economical to replace only the part that requires replacing (more on this below!).
Okay! I've got my mask, I'm totally safe now right?
No. There are three things that can negatively impact the safety of your mask; poor fit, improper maintenance and environmental levels.
Poor Fit
A respirator (of any type) is completely and utterly useless if it is the wrong size for you and is not fitted properly. Please ensure you've read the section on fitting your mask to ensure that your mask is correctly fit.
Improper Maintenance
Your respirator is equally useless if you are not properly maintaining and caring for it. This includes care of the mask between uses and replacement. Please see the section on maintaining your mask for more information.
Environmental Levels
Environmental levels are important to take into account, as your mask can only protect you against the things it was designed to protect you against up to a certain concentration. since I'm sure none of us have the money or inclination to commit to environmental testing of our workspaces, the best way to ensure this is to make sure that the area in which you are working is properly ventilated before you start your project, and until well after you are finished.
Open your windows or work outside so that there is fresh air circulating in the area you're working in. If the air is particularly still (no breeze) while you're working, it is worth investing in a simple fan. Set it up in your window, with the fan blowing out the window (ie: the front of the fan where the air blows from facing towards the window). This will help pull the toxins out of your room. Alternately, if you are working outdoors, set the fan up on your table to help promote air movement.
How do I know if it fits?
According to my local Occupational Health and Safety Code, a respirator cannot legally be used in a workplace
environment if it has not been correctly Fit Tested. Keep in mind that half-face respirators come in various sizes.
Most women and men wear a medium but if you have a particularly slender or wide face, you may need a small or
large. If you have a crooked nose, or sinus problems, look for a mask made of silicon; you will find it more
comfortable than plastic or rubber.
Fit Testing
Fit testing uses a noxious but harmless substance (usually either irritant smoke or Bitrex; an additive used to create
bitterness in household cleaners to prevent children from tasting them) to ensure that the seal between the mask
and the face is tight and proper. Qualitative fit testing is the most common type, and requires the user of the mask
to confirm the presence of the noxious substance. In some cases (depending on chemicals in the environment or
failure of the Qualitative test) Quantitative fit testing may be required; this type of fit testing uses scientific sensors to
record levels inside the mask. If you have access to fit testing, especially with a half-face respirator, I encourage you
to take advantage of it! Fit testing needs to be redone every two years, in the case of weight loss or gain of more
than 15 lbs or in the case of surgery (including dental) involving the face.
And if I don't have access?
I have done hundreds of fit tests for staff at my place of employment and I can usually tell how well a mask is likely to
fit prior to the fit test being done. This is done with a simple self test. In order to be effective this test must be done
every single time you use the respirator (even if you pull it down to talk to someone and put it right back on!).
(For Disposable)
Step 1: Put your respirator on.
Step 2: Cup your hands tightly over your mouth and nose, over top of the respirator.
Step 3: Suck in a long breath. You will get air, but it should all be coming in through the small cracks between your
fingers. You should not feel any air coming in from around the nose piece or under your chin. If you do, refit the mask
and try again. If you cannot complete this successfully, you will need either a larger or smaller mask.
Step 4: With your hands still over your mouth and nose, blow out. Again, you should feel the air moving past your
fingers, and never around the bridge of your nose or under your chin.
(For Half-Face)
Step 1: Put on your mask and make sure the straps are tight.
Step 2: Cover the cartridge, as much as possible, with the palm of your hands and suck in. The mask will likely
deflate slightly. You should feel some air coming in through the cartridge but no air coming in from the sides, under
your chin, or around your nose. If you do, adjust the mask and try again. If you cannot complete this step
successfully, you will need either a smaller or larger mask.
Step 3: Cover the exhalation valve of your respirator with the palm of your hand and blow out. You should feel the
mask inflate slightly and again, you should feel no air escaping from the side of your mask, under your chin or
around your nose.
How do I maintain my mask?
Respirator maintenance is exceptionally simple, takes very little time, and ensures that you are not exposing yourself to toxins. Take the extra few minutes to ensure that your respirator is working right!
Before you put it on
(For Disposable)
Do a quick visual check of the respirator. Is it dirty? A little discolouration from the dust is fine, but too much might mean that your respirator is clogged. I'll discuss this a bit further down. Check that your straps are still in good condition. Check that the foam piece at the nose is intact (if applicable) and that the metal part that bends across your nose is not bent out of shape. If your mask is clogged or not in good condition, replace it.
(For Half-Face)
Do a quick visual check of the inside and outside of your mask. Make sure that the valves (the little rubbery seals on the inhalation and exhalation points) are present and in good condition. Make sure there are no cracks or tears in your mask. Ensure that your filters are firmly attached. Correct any of these issues before proceeding with your work.
After you take it off
(For disposable)
Do another quick visual check of your mask. If everything is still in order, seal your mask inside a baggie and put it somewhere safe.
(For Half-Face)
Wipe all surfaces of the mask that touch your face with a respirator cleaning wipe. If you don't have any, use the following:
-For masks made of natural rubber, use a non-alcohol based antimicrobial wipe.
-For masks made of silicone or plastic, wipe with isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol).
This step is less about the effectiveness of your mask and more about preventing build up of oils from the skin which can degrade the mask over time, necessitating replacement, as well as causing skin breakouts! Seal your mask inside of a baggie or well-sealed (and clean!) coffee can and put it somewhere safe. Once a month you should remove the cartridges and clean your mask with soap and water, and hang it up to dry. This keeps the inside of your mask smelling pleasant. Sweat and condensation from your breathing can build up in there over time and cause the mask to smell unpleasant.
How often do I need to replace my respirator, or cartridges?
Filters will only last so long! Keep in mind that whether or not you are actively breathing through your respirator (IE: wearing it) it is still filtering the air around you. The average Organic Vapour filter, which is what you should be wearing at the least for spraying, lasts approximately 24-48 hours. That's it! Not very long, right?
The good news is that you can extend the life of your filters dramatically by placing them into a sealed container, like a baggie or coffee can, as discussed in the section above. My staff generally see a lifetime of 1-2 weeks from their filters, and most staff are using their filters at least once a day.
How do I know it's time to replace them?
(For Disposable, N95 and above)
Your respirator is a simple filter made up of layer of material that filter out small particulates from the air. Eventually your respirator will become clogged and need to be replaced. This is not a matter of time, it is a matter of volume of filtering, something not easily tracked.
As a general rule of thumb, when your filter is ready to be replaced, you will know it because it will get harder to suck a good deep breath in. As soon as you start to feel this, replace your respirator.
(For Half-Face)
Organic Vapour Cartridge - Because this is filtering vapours (or aerosols), you will know it is time to replace it the moment you smell or taste anything through the filters; even the tiniest bit. Throw them out and get new ones. N95 Prefilter - Please see the explanation for disposables above, your pre-filter works the same way. If your pre-filter is built into your organic vapour cartridge, it's time to replace the whole thing. If you pre-filter is separate and you are not tasting or smelling anything through it, replace just the pre-filter.
I've got this bandana/old respirator of my uncles/some other thing....
Cloth is not an effective filter against either particulate or vapors. Your respirator needs to be yours. Quite aside from the obvious sanitation issues, if the respirator belongs to someone else, it may not fit correctly and is therefore ineffective.
Where do I get these things?
Disposable respirators are readily available in home improvement stores and pharmacies; just make sure you get one that says N95, or above, as discussed earlier. You can also refer to post #3 below for a Shopping Guide.
Half-face respirators are sometimes available in home improvement stores, but are also readily available from safety suppliers (many of which are open to the general public) and online.
I worked without my mask and now I'm not feeling well. Am I going to be okay?
I am not a medical professional. Please stop asking me this question. This question is best discussed with your Doctor. My specialty is prevention, not treatment. I can tell you what results you may incur, but I cannot and will not attempt to diagnose your health, especially not over the internet.
I have a question for you...
Feel free to PM me, or reply here. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, and if I don't know the answer, I have excellent resources for checking for you.
Okay, I'm going to get a mask, but what do you recommend?
I use 3M products exclusively, and I am very happy with them. 3M is one of the largest companies out there. They're available worldwide, and the chances of them ever going out of business, therefore forcing you to buy new equipment, is very slim. My recommendations are as follows, along with links for online purchasing! I never recommend buying (or using) second-hand safety gear.
This list is only partial. I will add to it as I find time.
Please note that at this time, these are US/Canada based websites and recommendations. If you are from another country, please let me know and I will do my best to find your country's equivalents.
Disposable Respirators ("Dust Masks")
3M 8210
Lowes 20-pack | Home Depot 20-pack
3M 8210 Plus As above, but with a fabric elacstic strap, so they last longer, but tend to be a bit more expensive.
Lowes 20 pack | Home Depot 2-pack | Home Depot 20-pack | Amazon 20-pack
3M 8511 Similar to the 8210 series, but these have an exhalation valve, which can prove more comfortable in hot or humid environments.
Lowes 10-pack | Home Depot 10-pack | Amazon 10-pack
Half-Face Respirators (Rubber)
3M 6000 Series Half-Face Respirator
Amazon (Small) | Amazon (Medium)
3M 6001 Organic Vapour Cartridges & 3M 5N11 N95 Prefilters
Home Depot Resupply Kit (OV Cartridges and Prefilters) | Amazon Organic Vapour Cartridges | Amazon Resupply
Kit (OV Cartridges and Prefilters)
Starter Kits
Lowes (Medium) | Home Depot (Large) | Home Depot (Medium) | Amazon (Medium) | Amazon (Large)
Half-Face Respirators (Silicon)
3M 7500 Series Half-Face Respirator
Amazon (Small) | Amazon (Medium) | Amazon (Large)
3M 6001 Organic Vapour Cartridges & 3M 5N11 N95 Prefilters
(Please see above! These are the same as for the 3M 6000 series)
Starter Kits
Lowes (Medium) | Amazon (Small) | Amazon (Medium) | Amazon (Large)
Respiratory protection is a part of your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed to filter or block harmful substances from reaching your respiratory system. The hobbyists primary form of respiratory protection is the respirator. There are a great number of types of respirators, some useful only for certain applications (see more on this below). The two most common respirators for hobbyists are the disposable respirator and the half-face respirator.
The half-face respirator is a mask that covers your nose and mouth, and has cartridges that clip on, screw on, or otherwise attach to ports on the mask.
The disposable respirator looks like a dust mask or surgeon's mask. It is, as the name implies, made to be disposed of after a short period of time.
Why do I need it?
Many of the items that we work with as doll customisers are toxic and many of them are cumulatively toxic. You may feel ill for a while and then get better, but the sorts of diseases that can be caused by sanding processes and spraying processes can come back to haunt you many years down the road. These products can cause Cancer and Pneumoconiosis. Cancer may be treatable if caught early enough. Pneumoconiosis, which is respiratory diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and coalworker's "black lung" disease, is NOT TREATABLE. Your doctors will work hard to make you comfortable while you die. That is the most they will be able to do for you. If you get Pneumoconiosis you will DIE.
Are you scared? You should be. This is life and death. Do not play Russian Roulette with your health.
What do I need?
That depends on the application that you are going to be using your respiratory protection for.
Sanding
For sanding applications (including sanding of resin, apoxie and other sculpting materials, and wood), you need a respirator that provides at least N95 level protection. It should say N95 somewhere on the mask itself. If it doesn't say, it is not good enough. There is a scale to protection levels and anything above N95 is also acceptable (of course).
The levels are:
N95
P95
N100
P100
What does this mean? The prefix ahead of the number will tell you if the mask is Oil Proof or Not.
The number will tell you the percentage effectiveness of the filter against particles of less than 0.3 Microns. An N100 or P100 filter may also be known as a HEPA filter.
On the bright side, having a small supply of these types of respirators will mean that you are following CDC and WHO recommendations for infectious disease outbreaks, which may or may not include the Inevitable Zombie Apocalypse.
P100 filters are also effective in welding applications.
N95 and above filters are most commonly found in the disposable variety and may also be referred to as "dust masks" or "surgical masks". Remember, if it doesn't say N95 (or one of the other codes listed above) it is not good enough!
Spray
This includes all types of spray applications, whether you are spraying sealant (like MSC or Testors) or airbrushing or spraying paints.
The process of spraying releases aerosols (and this is true whether or not you are using an aerosol spray can product. Airbrushing paint creates aerosols too!) for which an N95 filter is not effective.
At this point, you will need to move into a mask that protects you against Organic Vapours AND has an N95 filter. This will mean moving into a half-face respirator.
Your respirator is no longer disposable and can be used again and again without ill effect; the only thing that will need replacing is your filter and (if applicable) your prefilter. Some respirator brands have an N95 filter built right into the Organic Vapour cartridge, but I recommend looking for one that does not, for ease of replacement. Cartridges and filters have different life spans and it is more economical to replace only the part that requires replacing (more on this below!).
Okay! I've got my mask, I'm totally safe now right?
No. There are three things that can negatively impact the safety of your mask; poor fit, improper maintenance and environmental levels.
Poor Fit
A respirator (of any type) is completely and utterly useless if it is the wrong size for you and is not fitted properly. Please ensure you've read the section on fitting your mask to ensure that your mask is correctly fit.
Improper Maintenance
Your respirator is equally useless if you are not properly maintaining and caring for it. This includes care of the mask between uses and replacement. Please see the section on maintaining your mask for more information.
Environmental Levels
Environmental levels are important to take into account, as your mask can only protect you against the things it was designed to protect you against up to a certain concentration. since I'm sure none of us have the money or inclination to commit to environmental testing of our workspaces, the best way to ensure this is to make sure that the area in which you are working is properly ventilated before you start your project, and until well after you are finished.
Open your windows or work outside so that there is fresh air circulating in the area you're working in. If the air is particularly still (no breeze) while you're working, it is worth investing in a simple fan. Set it up in your window, with the fan blowing out the window (ie: the front of the fan where the air blows from facing towards the window). This will help pull the toxins out of your room. Alternately, if you are working outdoors, set the fan up on your table to help promote air movement.
How do I know if it fits?
According to my local Occupational Health and Safety Code, a respirator cannot legally be used in a workplace
environment if it has not been correctly Fit Tested. Keep in mind that half-face respirators come in various sizes.
Most women and men wear a medium but if you have a particularly slender or wide face, you may need a small or
large. If you have a crooked nose, or sinus problems, look for a mask made of silicon; you will find it more
comfortable than plastic or rubber.
Fit Testing
Fit testing uses a noxious but harmless substance (usually either irritant smoke or Bitrex; an additive used to create
bitterness in household cleaners to prevent children from tasting them) to ensure that the seal between the mask
and the face is tight and proper. Qualitative fit testing is the most common type, and requires the user of the mask
to confirm the presence of the noxious substance. In some cases (depending on chemicals in the environment or
failure of the Qualitative test) Quantitative fit testing may be required; this type of fit testing uses scientific sensors to
record levels inside the mask. If you have access to fit testing, especially with a half-face respirator, I encourage you
to take advantage of it! Fit testing needs to be redone every two years, in the case of weight loss or gain of more
than 15 lbs or in the case of surgery (including dental) involving the face.
And if I don't have access?
I have done hundreds of fit tests for staff at my place of employment and I can usually tell how well a mask is likely to
fit prior to the fit test being done. This is done with a simple self test. In order to be effective this test must be done
every single time you use the respirator (even if you pull it down to talk to someone and put it right back on!).
(For Disposable)
Step 1: Put your respirator on.
Step 2: Cup your hands tightly over your mouth and nose, over top of the respirator.
Step 3: Suck in a long breath. You will get air, but it should all be coming in through the small cracks between your
fingers. You should not feel any air coming in from around the nose piece or under your chin. If you do, refit the mask
and try again. If you cannot complete this successfully, you will need either a larger or smaller mask.
Step 4: With your hands still over your mouth and nose, blow out. Again, you should feel the air moving past your
fingers, and never around the bridge of your nose or under your chin.
(For Half-Face)
Step 1: Put on your mask and make sure the straps are tight.
Step 2: Cover the cartridge, as much as possible, with the palm of your hands and suck in. The mask will likely
deflate slightly. You should feel some air coming in through the cartridge but no air coming in from the sides, under
your chin, or around your nose. If you do, adjust the mask and try again. If you cannot complete this step
successfully, you will need either a smaller or larger mask.
Step 3: Cover the exhalation valve of your respirator with the palm of your hand and blow out. You should feel the
mask inflate slightly and again, you should feel no air escaping from the side of your mask, under your chin or
around your nose.
How do I maintain my mask?
Respirator maintenance is exceptionally simple, takes very little time, and ensures that you are not exposing yourself to toxins. Take the extra few minutes to ensure that your respirator is working right!
Before you put it on
(For Disposable)
Do a quick visual check of the respirator. Is it dirty? A little discolouration from the dust is fine, but too much might mean that your respirator is clogged. I'll discuss this a bit further down. Check that your straps are still in good condition. Check that the foam piece at the nose is intact (if applicable) and that the metal part that bends across your nose is not bent out of shape. If your mask is clogged or not in good condition, replace it.
(For Half-Face)
Do a quick visual check of the inside and outside of your mask. Make sure that the valves (the little rubbery seals on the inhalation and exhalation points) are present and in good condition. Make sure there are no cracks or tears in your mask. Ensure that your filters are firmly attached. Correct any of these issues before proceeding with your work.
After you take it off
(For disposable)
Do another quick visual check of your mask. If everything is still in order, seal your mask inside a baggie and put it somewhere safe.
(For Half-Face)
Wipe all surfaces of the mask that touch your face with a respirator cleaning wipe. If you don't have any, use the following:
-For masks made of natural rubber, use a non-alcohol based antimicrobial wipe.
-For masks made of silicone or plastic, wipe with isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol).
This step is less about the effectiveness of your mask and more about preventing build up of oils from the skin which can degrade the mask over time, necessitating replacement, as well as causing skin breakouts! Seal your mask inside of a baggie or well-sealed (and clean!) coffee can and put it somewhere safe. Once a month you should remove the cartridges and clean your mask with soap and water, and hang it up to dry. This keeps the inside of your mask smelling pleasant. Sweat and condensation from your breathing can build up in there over time and cause the mask to smell unpleasant.
How often do I need to replace my respirator, or cartridges?
Filters will only last so long! Keep in mind that whether or not you are actively breathing through your respirator (IE: wearing it) it is still filtering the air around you. The average Organic Vapour filter, which is what you should be wearing at the least for spraying, lasts approximately 24-48 hours. That's it! Not very long, right?
The good news is that you can extend the life of your filters dramatically by placing them into a sealed container, like a baggie or coffee can, as discussed in the section above. My staff generally see a lifetime of 1-2 weeks from their filters, and most staff are using their filters at least once a day.
How do I know it's time to replace them?
(For Disposable, N95 and above)
Your respirator is a simple filter made up of layer of material that filter out small particulates from the air. Eventually your respirator will become clogged and need to be replaced. This is not a matter of time, it is a matter of volume of filtering, something not easily tracked.
As a general rule of thumb, when your filter is ready to be replaced, you will know it because it will get harder to suck a good deep breath in. As soon as you start to feel this, replace your respirator.
(For Half-Face)
Organic Vapour Cartridge - Because this is filtering vapours (or aerosols), you will know it is time to replace it the moment you smell or taste anything through the filters; even the tiniest bit. Throw them out and get new ones. N95 Prefilter - Please see the explanation for disposables above, your pre-filter works the same way. If your pre-filter is built into your organic vapour cartridge, it's time to replace the whole thing. If you pre-filter is separate and you are not tasting or smelling anything through it, replace just the pre-filter.
I've got this bandana/old respirator of my uncles/some other thing....
Cloth is not an effective filter against either particulate or vapors. Your respirator needs to be yours. Quite aside from the obvious sanitation issues, if the respirator belongs to someone else, it may not fit correctly and is therefore ineffective.
Where do I get these things?
Disposable respirators are readily available in home improvement stores and pharmacies; just make sure you get one that says N95, or above, as discussed earlier. You can also refer to post #3 below for a Shopping Guide.
Half-face respirators are sometimes available in home improvement stores, but are also readily available from safety suppliers (many of which are open to the general public) and online.
I worked without my mask and now I'm not feeling well. Am I going to be okay?
I am not a medical professional. Please stop asking me this question. This question is best discussed with your Doctor. My specialty is prevention, not treatment. I can tell you what results you may incur, but I cannot and will not attempt to diagnose your health, especially not over the internet.
I have a question for you...
Feel free to PM me, or reply here. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, and if I don't know the answer, I have excellent resources for checking for you.
Okay, I'm going to get a mask, but what do you recommend?
I use 3M products exclusively, and I am very happy with them. 3M is one of the largest companies out there. They're available worldwide, and the chances of them ever going out of business, therefore forcing you to buy new equipment, is very slim. My recommendations are as follows, along with links for online purchasing! I never recommend buying (or using) second-hand safety gear.
This list is only partial. I will add to it as I find time.
Please note that at this time, these are US/Canada based websites and recommendations. If you are from another country, please let me know and I will do my best to find your country's equivalents.
Disposable Respirators ("Dust Masks")
3M 8210
Lowes 20-pack | Home Depot 20-pack
3M 8210 Plus As above, but with a fabric elacstic strap, so they last longer, but tend to be a bit more expensive.
Lowes 20 pack | Home Depot 2-pack | Home Depot 20-pack | Amazon 20-pack
3M 8511 Similar to the 8210 series, but these have an exhalation valve, which can prove more comfortable in hot or humid environments.
Lowes 10-pack | Home Depot 10-pack | Amazon 10-pack
Half-Face Respirators (Rubber)
3M 6000 Series Half-Face Respirator
Amazon (Small) | Amazon (Medium)
3M 6001 Organic Vapour Cartridges & 3M 5N11 N95 Prefilters
Home Depot Resupply Kit (OV Cartridges and Prefilters) | Amazon Organic Vapour Cartridges | Amazon Resupply
Kit (OV Cartridges and Prefilters)
Starter Kits
Lowes (Medium) | Home Depot (Large) | Home Depot (Medium) | Amazon (Medium) | Amazon (Large)
Half-Face Respirators (Silicon)
3M 7500 Series Half-Face Respirator
Amazon (Small) | Amazon (Medium) | Amazon (Large)
3M 6001 Organic Vapour Cartridges & 3M 5N11 N95 Prefilters
(Please see above! These are the same as for the 3M 6000 series)
Starter Kits
Lowes (Medium) | Amazon (Small) | Amazon (Medium) | Amazon (Large)
Comments From DOA users that I found useful:
Thank you so much for posting this! I do face ups and while I knew breathing in the fumes wasn't good for your brain I never thought about my lungs! A quick question or two: 1)maybe I'm just hopeful since I don't want to shell out the big bucks for a half-face respirator but will the disposable be good enough for spraying testors/msc if you can't smell anything? 2)should I be worried about second hand spray? 3) what about animals breathing this stuff?
Kieran66 - Thanks for your questions. I'm happy to answer them for you!
1) No, unfortunately, the disposable ones are not good enough for spraying MSC or Testors. You need a half-face respirator for these products, as you need to have an Organic Vapour cartridge; an N95 filter isn't enough. The good news is that you can pick up very good masks (exactly the type I use in my hazardous workplace) at Lowe's and Home Depot for around $30.
2) Aerosols from the spray (the part that is actually hazardous) can affect other people in the area with you while you are spraying. If someone else is working with you or observing, they need to be in respiratory protection as well. Keep people without respiratory protection out of the area for at least 30 minutes to an hour after you have sprayed.
3) Animals are even more likely to be negatively affected by spray products than humans are, as a result of their smaller size. Please keep your animals out of the area in which you are spraying for at least 30 minutes to an hour after you're finished.
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Your response on page 3 to Kieran66 really helped me but I still wanna touch base on a few things from there, and some other questions(I really know nothing about chemical sprays.):
Where can i find the ingredients?
What about it makes it so toxic?
After 30min to and hour wait the threat is gone because the spray or the chemicals in the spray have settled?
Is that the only reason msc is unsafe?
Once msc dries on a surface how toxic is it? (does a threat always linger?)
Like how alcohol can clean a face-up off, can i use it to sanitize a surface sprayed with msc?
How dangerous is it to the environment?(Not sure if this is answerable? really cool to know though.)
If I were to get a doll at the moment my spraying area would be my garage,its spacious, no one really goes in there, and i can open the door to vent! I would probably set up some cloth behind the doll parts to catch any msc from sticking to the floor and other things or perhaps set the parts in a box to use msc? (..lol and I'd move my cat food out of there too.)
tangy_melon I hope I can answer at least some of your questions!
Where can I find the ingredients?
It should be possible to find a Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for products that you are using. Ask for these to be provided to you when you buy!
What about it makes it so toxic?
The chemical composition of the product and the way that it reacts to your body is what makes the product toxic to you. This sort of question is better asked of someone with a medical background for more specific information, though. If you want to discuss it with a medical professional, bring the above-mentioned MSDS sheet with you!
After 30min to and hour wait the threat is gone because the spray or the chemicals in the spray have settled?
After this time, the aerosols in the air should have settled out of the air, meaning that you are no longer exposed to them when you breathe.
Is that the only reason msc is unsafe? Once msc dries on a surface how toxic is it? (does a threat always linger?)
MSC is inert once it is dry, unless, for example, you are sanding it, in which case you are dealing with dust particles, which are dangerous as well. If you're simply playing with your dolls the MSC is safe.
Like how alcohol can clean a face-up off, can i use it to sanitize a surface sprayed with msc?
If you get overspray on surfaces in the area you're working and you want to clean it up, alcohol should work, but it will depend on the surface you're working on. If you're worried about getting over spray on surfaces in your work area, you may want to consider building yourself a spray box. This doesn't have to be anything complex! A cardboard box with the top and one side cut out is more than enough.
How dangerous is it to the environment?
I'm sorry. I'm not qualified to answer that question. I don't know anything about the environmental effects of MSC.
Definitely move the cat food out of the garage. Leave your garage door partially or completely open, keep pets and people out of the area when you're working and use your respirator. Do all of that and you've taken every precaution I would suggest to keep yourself safe!
Enjoy the hobby!
Thank you so much for posting this! I do face ups and while I knew breathing in the fumes wasn't good for your brain I never thought about my lungs! A quick question or two: 1)maybe I'm just hopeful since I don't want to shell out the big bucks for a half-face respirator but will the disposable be good enough for spraying testors/msc if you can't smell anything? 2)should I be worried about second hand spray? 3) what about animals breathing this stuff?
Kieran66 - Thanks for your questions. I'm happy to answer them for you!
1) No, unfortunately, the disposable ones are not good enough for spraying MSC or Testors. You need a half-face respirator for these products, as you need to have an Organic Vapour cartridge; an N95 filter isn't enough. The good news is that you can pick up very good masks (exactly the type I use in my hazardous workplace) at Lowe's and Home Depot for around $30.
2) Aerosols from the spray (the part that is actually hazardous) can affect other people in the area with you while you are spraying. If someone else is working with you or observing, they need to be in respiratory protection as well. Keep people without respiratory protection out of the area for at least 30 minutes to an hour after you have sprayed.
3) Animals are even more likely to be negatively affected by spray products than humans are, as a result of their smaller size. Please keep your animals out of the area in which you are spraying for at least 30 minutes to an hour after you're finished.
========================================================================================
Your response on page 3 to Kieran66 really helped me but I still wanna touch base on a few things from there, and some other questions(I really know nothing about chemical sprays.):
Where can i find the ingredients?
What about it makes it so toxic?
After 30min to and hour wait the threat is gone because the spray or the chemicals in the spray have settled?
Is that the only reason msc is unsafe?
Once msc dries on a surface how toxic is it? (does a threat always linger?)
Like how alcohol can clean a face-up off, can i use it to sanitize a surface sprayed with msc?
How dangerous is it to the environment?(Not sure if this is answerable? really cool to know though.)
If I were to get a doll at the moment my spraying area would be my garage,its spacious, no one really goes in there, and i can open the door to vent! I would probably set up some cloth behind the doll parts to catch any msc from sticking to the floor and other things or perhaps set the parts in a box to use msc? (..lol and I'd move my cat food out of there too.)
tangy_melon I hope I can answer at least some of your questions!
Where can I find the ingredients?
It should be possible to find a Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for products that you are using. Ask for these to be provided to you when you buy!
What about it makes it so toxic?
The chemical composition of the product and the way that it reacts to your body is what makes the product toxic to you. This sort of question is better asked of someone with a medical background for more specific information, though. If you want to discuss it with a medical professional, bring the above-mentioned MSDS sheet with you!
After 30min to and hour wait the threat is gone because the spray or the chemicals in the spray have settled?
After this time, the aerosols in the air should have settled out of the air, meaning that you are no longer exposed to them when you breathe.
Is that the only reason msc is unsafe? Once msc dries on a surface how toxic is it? (does a threat always linger?)
MSC is inert once it is dry, unless, for example, you are sanding it, in which case you are dealing with dust particles, which are dangerous as well. If you're simply playing with your dolls the MSC is safe.
Like how alcohol can clean a face-up off, can i use it to sanitize a surface sprayed with msc?
If you get overspray on surfaces in the area you're working and you want to clean it up, alcohol should work, but it will depend on the surface you're working on. If you're worried about getting over spray on surfaces in your work area, you may want to consider building yourself a spray box. This doesn't have to be anything complex! A cardboard box with the top and one side cut out is more than enough.
How dangerous is it to the environment?
I'm sorry. I'm not qualified to answer that question. I don't know anything about the environmental effects of MSC.
Definitely move the cat food out of the garage. Leave your garage door partially or completely open, keep pets and people out of the area when you're working and use your respirator. Do all of that and you've taken every precaution I would suggest to keep yourself safe!
Enjoy the hobby!