epoxy safety

[Bruce36549]

I've seen some topics on this site that discuss epoxy dust, but was wondering if anyone is concerned about breathing the vapors from uncured resin. Does anyone use a respirator or is cross ventilation sufficient. It can get cold here this time of year and some days I would prefer leaving the garage door closed. One guy who lives near me and has built several boats was adament that I MUST wear a respirator. From what I've read on-line the biggest hazard in the fumes is that it's an irritant (skin, lungs, and mucous membranes) and sensitizer; and can cause asthma. I am going to get a respirator and use it when working with the epoxy. Would rather be unnecessarily cautious than be sorry 15 years down the road.

Any comments?

Bruce

[jem]

A lot has to do with the quality of epoxy (hardener). A good quality hardener with have little-to-no amines and those are the buggers that cause most folks the issues.

A respirator is the safest bet. Good air flow of fresh air with a quality epoxy is often good enough. But you must select your own comfort level.

[hairymick]

G'day Bruce,

A while ago, with the help from my good friends at ATL composites and West Systems Epoxy, I started develloping an epoxy safety training thingy for my work. It is still very much evolving into the final product and is a long wway from complete. With Matt's permission, I will post what I have done here in a couple of days. (I don't have the E-copies on this computor.)

[_AL_]

Hi Bruce,
I spent 15 years working in the smash repair industry breathing in fumes & chemicals & I'm paying the price now with my health.
I suggest you don't assume you'll be fine, get yourself a good respirator.
I use a sundstrom brand respirator which I used for spray painting 2 pack paints but any brand will do so long as you can get a good quality chemical filter for it.
I use mine for sanding & mixing/ applying epoxy & you can't smell a thing.
Spend the money on a good respirator. You won't regret it.
You may also want to look at a set of rubber gloves (don't use latex gloves as epoxy can penetrate them) and a tyvec suit. It'll cost you bugger all but takes away 95% of the risk of damage to your health.

Al

[Tor]

There's also a sensitization issue which has nothing at all to breathing the stuff in. I can use epoxy outside wearing a cartridge respirator, full length overalls, gloves, goggles and boots and I still get a reaction
It's like a mild pins and needles/sunburn sensation on the skin and it doesn't just affect the exposed skin, my eyelids are a little more puffy too.

I figure not everyone is as sensitive as me...

I'm still gonna build with it again though...

Just be careful with the damn stuff.

Tor

[Bruce36549]

Thanks so much to all for your responses. I have vinyl gloves, not sure about the Tyvek suit thing -- I don't expect to be getting any of the material on my body, but it would sure help to keep sanding dust out of the house. I'm just not sure of what I need in the way of respirators. The ones I look at in Lowes say good for fumes, but I'm not sure if they are adequate. Ordered the resin from RAKA on Monday and I'm going to be ready to splice panels over the weekend if it arrives tomorrow. I don't mind doing some small things without a respirator and keeping the garage door open, but don't want to continue on to doing large areas with the resin until I find something good to protect my lungs. I worked for 40 years in the dental lab business and in the early days (60's and 70's) there was no thought whatsoever given to dust control. Consequently, I've inhaled a lot of nasty stuff from grinding and melting metals and mixing chemicals over the years. I'd like to preserve what function I've got left. Guess I'll do some more research online.

Bruce

[Kayak Jack]

Bruce, it can be easy to confuse what protection people should wear in a day to day industrial atmosphere, with what makes sense to a hobbyist.

IE: most folks on a pedal bike don't wear heavy leather gloves, full coverage crash helmet with face protection, high leather boots, and a padded leather suit to protect themselves in a fall at 10-15 mph. On the other hand, Evel Knievel (SP?) couldn't get on enough gear.

[hairymick]

I work in a well ventilated shop with the prevailing breeze blowing straight through and never had a problem.

For sanding, this is my respirator of choice,





fitted with a pre- filter, paper element and carbon filter. Not cheap but what value do you place on your health.

These respirators will stop all particulate and fume.

[_AL_]

That's the exact same respirator I use & is the most commonly used respirator amongst professional painters in this country.
I can't recommend them highly enough & when you weigh what you pay V the protection they provide. It's a small price to pay.

Bruce,
The Tyvek suit I mentioned is a cheap overall. They look like a paper suit but they are a plastic of some sort.
You will pay less than $10 & they are great at stopping spills from getting on your skin (don't ask how I know) & will also stop fibreglass itch when sanding.
Reusable right up until you spill 1/2 mixed epoxy all over yourself...............

Here's a link off the net.
http://www.disposable-garments.com/tyvek_suits.html

I'd be very surprised if you couldn't get them at one of your home depot type stores over there.

Al

[Bruce36549]

Al,

I was impressed with the models they used to demonstrate the tyvek suits on that website. Looked like the suits did a really fine job of keeping all the paint splatters off those professional painters!

Bruce