I have been doing a lot of marblizing and would like to wear a respirator for this work. Any suggestions on the best respirator for epoxies?

Thanks,
Marc

Marc,

Sorry to "jack' your thread, but check your email. Colleen's back and looking for you!

Mark Griffin
[]
C&M Custom Tackle
San Dimas, California

No problem Mark - thanks for the heads up!

Marc

This is one place to start in your information gathering on safe handling of resin systems.

[www.dermnetnz.org]

Thanks Bill!! Have you had any luck with the Sumo Glue for grips?

Marc

Didn't really note an answer to your question. I use AO Safety products. Mostly because they are the most commonly carried around me, so I can easily get new cartridges if needed. I have two,,, a light duty for particulate matter that I use when working a lot of wood (http://www.aosafety.com/diy/resp_detail.cfm?con_prod_num=95190&con_family_id=6&con_platform_id=1) and a more serious one I use when painting (http://www.aosafety.com/diy/resp_detail.cfm?con_prod_num=95090,%2095091&con_family_id=1&con_platform_id=1), with purple P100 cartridges. My model numbers may not be exactly those, as they are a few years old, but they look the same. You'd have to look up which cartridges are suited for what applications.
I'm a bit lax on remembering the masks sometimes, but they always are remembered when I get into something obviously nasty.

The respirator you use should be rated for the type of work you are doing.

i.e.
Particulates generated mechanically - i.e. dust, shavings etc ( use P1)
Particulates generated themally - i.e welding fumes etc (use P2)

As you are interested in something for epoxy I would look at a filter rated P3 or specifically rated for organic vapours and/or gases

You really need to consult the MSDS on the product in question to find out whats in the stuff and advise the filter vendor so they can give you the right one.

cheers,
Owen

Owen is right that the respirator needs to be suited to the type of contaminants you are encountering.

However, the P1, P2, and P3 ratings are Austrailian ratings that you may not see in the states. The NIOSH ratings used in the US are different.

For epoxy work, you'd want a cartridge rated for the type of vapors you expect to have present. For most of the two part finishes we use in rodbuilding, there really are very little if any vapors given off during curing. Some of the 5-minute epoxies and 3:1 or 4:1 epoxies may contain amine-based (or other) hardners that can give off substantial odors when curing. Therefore you'd want something that says it is rated for amines if that is the case.

The multi-purpose cartridges sold by many companies have a gas/vapor cartridge that is rated for a wide range of vapors (not everything though), plus a P100 filter (formerly known as a HEPA filter) for any dusts, mists, or fumes (such as welding fumes). P-100 filters are always colored purple or magenta. The multipurpose gas/vapor cartridges are usually a olive / yellow color.

The key is that you need to first know what type of contaminants you expect to see (the MSDS might give you a clue), and then choose a respirator and cartridge that will protect you from that contaminant.

Erik