OK, heard about Xylene in PG so I use an organic mask for that. Then heard about epoxy sensitivities so now I wear gloves for that - and maybe a mask. Then hear about wood dust allergy so that's something else to wear a mask for. Now I'm wondering about cork. Do a lot of shaping and find that there are also cork dust allergies in workers who harvest cork.

I sure would like to keep sanding cork without worrying about wearing a full blown mask. Anyone here know if that's necessary?

LOL - at this rate, I should just pick up a full hazmat suit for rod building. Not even hanging over a hole 30 foot above the ground painting my deck seem as dangerous as our hobby. Any sponsors on the left carry one.....? LOL.

Mo

Mo,

you can get an allergy to anything that contains protein. That does include cork. At the very least, I'd suggest you wear one on those disposable white filters to keep the bigger particles out of your airways.

Besides, you'll look like a surgeon!

Mo,

One thing is for sure, living will eventually kill you.

It's good to take reasonable precautions with anything you use and in anything you do, but neither rod building nor the products we use in rod building are inherently dangerous provided you just use a little common sense. The vast majority of rod builders throughout the history of this craft haven't resorted to full hazmat suits and many have been at this for decades will no ill effects.

Cork is usually bleached after its stripped from the tree. This kills most of the bacteria and related spores that could otherwise cause problems in those using it. The only danger it poses to you is the dust, which while not toxic is still dust in your lungs. So it's not necessary but it's not a bad idea. A simple paper mask will prevent 99% of it from getting in. A decent dust collection system, even a shop vac or a fan with a filter taped to it, will trap most of the dust as well.


.................

I 2nd Toms suggestion on a good ventilation / dust removal system.

For the turning operation, it is certainly a good idea to have a good fan/vacuum system to keep the dust and turnings away from your nose and mouth for possible injestion.

Also, it is VERY important to have good ventilation in your finish application area. Too often, I see that folks are doing glue up and finish work in a general shop area with no additional ventilation. Not really a good idea, with the solvents and fumes involved. Try to install ventilation, so that the finish area exhausts fumes out of the building, and have fresh make up air brought into the building.


I am a person who has become allergic to some of the chemicals involved in gluing and finish work. In particular, some of the hardners in two part epoxy finishes have affected me in a negative fashion.

So, the body tells all of us when enough is enough. To delay this progression, do your best to keep the injestion of fumes, and or chemicals from your nose, mouth and through the skin.

Good luck
Roger

I love rod building, and am as concerned as anyone about the health effects but I saw a few things this week that eased my mind a little. I was at the St. Croix store and watched the ladies finishing, with a pan of Flex Coat right unde their face, no mask, no extra venting. I asked the guy in the store and he said that's how they do it, and that's all day every day!

Then I watched my old Artie Hebert video, and watched Artie clean up extra epoxy with his bare finger - no glove - no worries.

Just another perspective.

You keep worrying about this stuff and you will get a hart attack or ulcers.

Bill - willierods.com

Uh, Artie died.

No idea if it was from epoxy or a car accident but not sure you want to hold up Artie as proof that this stuff is not likely to harm you. Something sure got him.

LOL Tom, on this side of eternity, living sure can be hazardous. So far death is a 100% statistical certainty....

To everyone else, thanks for the responses. I trust that my original post clearly had a bit of tongue in cheek - I'm really not that paranoid or worried....:)

Mo