Paper Mask Vs. Respirator

[soursop]

I use a respirator to mix glazes as well as for spraying glaze on the occasional pieces and am looking into replacing my existing one with a newer, better one, but have come across these "paper masks". Supposedly they work just as well as a respirator but are disposable which seems like it would be a good thing since anything sitting around in a ceramics studio, no matter where it is stored, must gather some dust on it in between uses, and then has that in it the next time we use it. Have any of you had any experience with these paper masks and how well they work? Will they really prevent the small particles of glaze from getting through when spraying a glaze?

 

Also on the thought, does anyone recommend any certain respirator as the best? Currently I use an OMS (I think) brand that home depot use to carry and it does block what I need it to, but want to know if anyone really has a favored brand for health, function, durability, life span, etc., so any comments would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Chris Campbell]

The trouble with paper masks is in the fit ... they don't seal around your mouth and nose.

 

Google "pottery studio safety" and you should get good information on particle size and masks.

Monona Rossel (Spelling? ) is a very respected expert.

[Guest JBaymore]

The paper masks are not really the correct choice for studio ceramics.

 

It has mainly to do with what is called the "protection factor" of the mask. That is a function about basically how well is seals to the face, and then that relationship to the TLV (threshold limit value) or PEL (permissible exposure limt) of the particular material you are trying top protect yourself against.

 

Microcrystalline silica, the biggie for us, is a known human carcinogen as well as causing irreversible silicosis. The TLV/PEL are really low.

 

As Chris said, a well fitting half-face respirator is what you want. It needs to have the correct filter also. The correct ones are labeled as P-100 and/or HEPA.

 

Using an incorrect filter or a poorly fitting respiratior is worse than no respirator at all. You think you are protected....... and you are not.

 

As to fit... there is a whole deal to gettting that correct. See the OSHA website below for that info:

 

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9780&p_table=STANDARDS

 

best,

 

.............john

[soursop]

Thanks for the input.

[jo4550]

I use a respirator to mix glazes as well as for spraying glaze on the occasional pieces and am looking into replacing my existing one with a newer, better one, but have come across these "paper masks". Supposedly they work just as well as a respirator but are disposable which seems like it would be a good thing since anything sitting around in a ceramics studio, no matter where it is stored, must gather some dust on it in between uses, and then has that in it the next time we use it. Have any of you had any experience with these paper masks and how well they work? Will they really prevent the small particles of glaze from getting through when spraying a glaze?

 

Also on the thought, does anyone recommend any certain respirator as the best? Currently I use an OMS (I think) brand that home depot use to carry and it does block what I need it to, but want to know if anyone really has a favored brand for health, function, durability, life span, etc., so any comments would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Regarding your concern about respirators gathering dust whilst stored in the studio in between uses: This is not a problem. I was advised by the safety equipment retailer to store either the mask plus filter cartridges or the filter cartridges unscrewed from the mask, in a ziplock bag. This not only keeps out the dust but also extends the life of the filter cartridges. Additionally, I was advised to periodically clean/wipeout the inside of the mask with some hygienic wipes containing hospital grade disinfectant to control the growth of bacteria from our own use. Have you ever noticed the build of moisture in the facepiece after a session of use?

 

Regards

Johanna

[Denice]

I use a respirator to mix glazes as well as for spraying glaze on the occasional pieces and am looking into replacing my existing one with a newer, better one, but have come across these "paper masks". Supposedly they work just as well as a respirator but are disposable which seems like it would be a good thing since anything sitting around in a ceramics studio, no matter where it is stored, must gather some dust on it in between uses, and then has that in it the next time we use it. Have any of you had any experience with these paper masks and how well they work? Will they really prevent the small particles of glaze from getting through when spraying a glaze?

 

Also on the thought, does anyone recommend any certain respirator as the best? Currently I use an OMS (I think) brand that home depot use to carry and it does block what I need it to, but want to know if anyone really has a favored brand for health, function, durability, life span, etc., so any comments would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

I have found a paper mask that I wear around my shop when I'm doing just general work not spraying glaze or dusty jobs, they are very comfortable and inexpensive and seem to fit against my face. I find the full respirators to be very uncomfortable and end up not wearing one for low dust work. I buy them at Harbor Freight they are flat rectangles and are sold 50 to a box for around 10$, they have a store online if you don't have one near you, they also have disposable gloves by the box I usually buy the cheapest latex then I can just throw them away. You still need to buy that respirator. Denice Wichita KS

[OKpotter]

I totally agree with Chris and John...I use a half-mask with P-100 cartridges. The added advantage to the half mask is that you can install the correct OSHA approved cartridge as an added safety feature when and if you ever do fuming on your pots. I also store mine in a ziplock baggy to prolong the life of the cartridge, but instead of taking the cartridges off the mask...I just throw the whole thing in a 2 gallon baggy. Saves time and hassle.

Jim

[soursop]

I've read about storing the mask in a bag, but have always been hesitant, because if I wear the mask to protect me from small particles on the outside that are trying to get into my lungs, then that means those small particles must be on the outside of the mask and filters, and if I put it all into a plastic bag, now those small particles have a chance to move around to the part I put over my face........... and then I breath them the next time I put it on. Isn't there truth to that? I'd prefer a shorter lifespan for the respirator if it means less to none of the harmful particles inside the respirator, but I'm curious what you all think. Is there validity to this point or not?

[jo4550]

I've read about storing the mask in a bag, but have always been hesitant, because if I wear the mask to protect me from small particles on the outside that are trying to get into my lungs, then that means those small particles must be on the outside of the mask and filters, and if I put it all into a plastic bag, now those small particles have a chance to move around to the part I put over my face........... and then I breath them the next time I put it on. Isn't there truth to that? I'd prefer a shorter lifespan for the respirator if it means less to none of the harmful particles inside the respirator, but I'm curious what you all think. Is there validity to this point or not?

 

 

As I mentioned in previous post: " I was advised to periodically clean/wipeout the inside of the mask with some hygienic wipes containing hospital grade disinfectant to control the growth of bacteria from our own use." This should allay your fears.

 

Johanna

[soursop]

Thanks Johanna,

 

I did read your post and was actually referring more to the small/microscopic?, pieces of clay/glaze particles that would inevitably be present. I understand that the sanitary wipes would probably do a more than adequate job keeping any bacteria at bay, but what about small, maybe microscopic dust particles that are really bad for us? Do the wipes clean them all up too? I guess I'm curious if most others have heard or practice the same thing you stated, that it is good to store the entire mask or parts of it inside a plastic bag, and really, more interested if this is better for US, not the longevity of the device. Again, to me it just seems a little counterintuitive to do this.

[jo4550]

Thanks Johanna,

 

I did read your post and was actually referring more to the small/microscopic?, pieces of clay/glaze particles that would inevitably be present. I understand that the sanitary wipes would probably do a more than adequate job keeping any bacteria at bay, but what about small, maybe microscopic dust particles that are really bad for us? Do the wipes clean them all up too? I guess I'm curious if most others have heard or practice the same thing you stated, that it is good to store the entire mask or parts of it inside a plastic bag, and really, more interested if this is better for US, not the longevity of the device. Again, to me it just seems a little counterintuitive to do this.

 

 

Paper masks do not fit and seal around the face adequately but they are better than nothing in certain situations. I can't see how storing the filters in a plastic bag would cause clay and glaze particles to migrate into our lungs on reuse as they are FILTERS. I have done extensive research on OH&S as I work with some suspect materials and I would pick the mask with the relevant filters any time.

 

Regards

Johanna

[Guest JBaymore]

The storage of the mask in a sealed plastic bag and the use of disinfectant cleaning wipes for the interior are SOP from Occupational Health specialists. Please see the OSHA site I mentioned for all of the information or respirators.

 

best,

 

.....................john

[soursop]

I appreciate the further input Johanna and John. I guess my intuition on the matter was wrong. I will read more from the OSHA site, and begin to keep disinfectant wipes on hand and store the respirator in a sealed plastic bag. I appreciate the education.

 

-Tim

[OffCenter]

And you should remember that you're talking about silica in clay dust not plutonium.

[Guest JBaymore]

And you should remember that you're talking about silica in clay dust not plutonium.

 

 

 

Some quotes from legally required MSDS-s for such materials:

 

Microcrystalline Silica ACGHI TWA TLV 0.025

Red Lead Oxide ACGHI TWA TLV 0.050

 

Most people do not know anything about plutonium other than the total radiation scare factor they have learned from the mainstream media. Let's use something that has a bit more relevancy:

 

You will notice above that the permissible level of the particular material dust in the air is HIGHER for red lead oxide than it is for microcrystalline silica. Maybe use that as a guide for how you think about silica dust.

 

 

For SIlica........

 

2.2. OSHA REGULATORY STATUS

 

 

This material is considered hazardous under the OSHA Hazard Communications Standard

 

 

 

(29 CFR 1910.1200).

 

 

2.3. POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:

 

 

2.3.1. Inhalation:

 

 

a. Silicosis: Respirable crystalline silica (quartz) can cause silicosis, a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs.

 

 

 

Silicosis may be progressive; it may lead to disability and death.

 

 

 

b. Lung Cancer: Crystalline silica (quartz) inhaled from occupational sources is classified as carcinogenic to humans.

 

 

 

c. Tuberculosis: Silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis.

 

 

 

d. Autoimmune and Chronic Kidney Diseases: Some studies show excess numbers of cases of scleroderma, connective tissue disorders, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney diseases and end-stage kidney disease in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica.

 

 

e. Non-Malignant Respiratory Diseases (other than silicosis): Some studies show an increased incidence in chronic bronchitis and emphysema in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica.

 

 

 

"If crystalline silica (quartz) is heated to more than 870°C, it can change to a form of crystalline silica known as trydimite; if crystalline silica (quartz) is heated to more than 1470°C, it can change to a form of crystalline silica known as cristobalite. The OSHA PEL for crystalline silica as trydimite or cristobalite is one-half of the OSHA PEL for crystalline silica (quartz)."

 

 

best,

 

.................john

[azjoe]

I store my respirator in a plastic grocery bag. When it starts to get a little "funky" on the inside I remove the filters and wash it with dish soap and water. I'm not overly concerned about clay dust migrating out of the filter into other parts of the respirator mask when it's in the bag... I'm careful, but not anal about this. As far as I'm concerned, the respirator is only part of the solution... wet wiping surfaces/floors and air flow is needed also.

 

As I understand it, the clay/glaze dust that's harmful is so small (less than a micron in diameter) that it is virtually invisible and stays suspended in the air for hours. It seems to me that (unless you want to wear a respirator all the time you're in your studio) the prudent approach is to have air movement through the studio... ie, fresh air in (via open window/door, etc) and dust-laden air exhausted via fan on opposite side of room. In cold/hot weather this will reek havoc with your heating/cooling costs, but that's the way it is. Don't rely on circulating air through your HVAC system with typical furnace filters... those filters won't trap anything nearly as small as we're talking about. You need to REPLACE the air in the studio with fresh air from outside.

 

Then again, here in Arizona the air from outside isn't always "fresh" (Arizona haboob)

[OffCenter]

I’m not trying to minimize the danger of clay dust in the studio, but I do think some people are overly concerned. Take a Jeep down a red clay Georgia dirt road and you’ll inhale more clay dust per minute than you ever will in your studio. Slide into home in a softball game and you inhale some silica. Let your kid play in a sandbox and he/she inhales some silica dust. It’s part of dirt and it is everywhere.

 

 

 

I was a potter back in the ’70’s then took a 30-year sabbatical and just started back a few years ago. It is good that people are aware of the dangers of breathing clay dust now and I certainly recommend that everyone take the time to take common-sense precautions against inhaling clay dust, but, once again, it’s not plutonium. When I was in school there were absolutely no precautions against clay dust. Students used to mix clay bodies by pouring bags of clay into a barrel and rolling it back and forth, everyone covered in clay dust. I remember us students helping the ceramics instructor clean the clay storage room and all of us covered with clay dust. Now, granted, I may find out tomorrow that I’m going to die of silicosis in three months, but I doubt it. None of my old pottery pals from the early 70’s have come down with it. The professor (Don Penny) is now in his 80’s and is still making pots (He’ll be doing Perspectives 2011 with me and the new head of the department, Michael Schmidt in August) and has had two heart attacks but no silicosis.

 

 

 

So, in short, be like azjoe, “…careful but not anal about this.â€

 

 

[soursop]

Azjoe,

 

That Haboob looked pretty dusty, so I'll consider myself lucky to have fresh breezes blowing through my studio.

[Guest JBaymore]

Take a Jeep down a red clay Georgia dirt road and you’ll inhale more clay dust per minute than you ever will in your studio. Slide into home in a softball game and you inhale some silica. Let your kid play in a sandbox and he/she inhales some silica dust. It’s part of dirt and it is everywhere.

 

 

Yup....bingo. And that aspect is part of what is called in the H+S field "total body burden". So if you do those other things AND you then add in exposure in the studio to the same or similar matetials... they are all cumulative.

 

No.... I agree completely over-reacting is not good. Being fully and accurately informed about the situation is good. Then a person can make an informed decision.

 

There is a TON of good health and safety reference materials out there. Just because it is "art" does not somehow make the various materials we use safe. They aer the same materials that people in facttories handle. And or exposure are often in some ways potentially greater than that in an industrial setting where levels of contaminants in the air are monitored.

 

Studio artists should do theuir homework on tis stuff.

 

best,

 

...............john

[OffCenter]

"There is a TON of good health and safety reference materials out there. Just because it is "art" does not somehow make the various materials we use safe. They aer the same materials that people in facttories handle. And or exposure are often in some ways potentially greater than that in an industrial setting where levels of contaminants in the air are monitored.

 

Studio artists should do theuir homework on tis stuff."

 

.... and you should stop drinking.

 

Jim

[Denice]

I’m not trying to minimize the danger of clay dust in the studio, but I do think some people are overly concerned. Take a Jeep down a red clay Georgia dirt road and you’ll inhale more clay dust per minute than you ever will in your studio. Slide into home in a softball game and you inhale some silica. Let your kid play in a sandbox and he/she inhales some silica dust. It’s part of dirt and it is everywhere.

 

 

 

I was a potter back in the ’70’s then took a 30-year sabbatical and just started back a few years ago. It is good that people are aware of the dangers of breathing clay dust now and I certainly recommend that everyone take the time to take common-sense precautions against inhaling clay dust, but, once again, it’s not plutonium. When I was in school there were absolutely no precautions against clay dust. Students used to mix clay bodies by pouring bags of clay into a barrel and rolling it back and forth, everyone covered in clay dust. I remember us students helping the ceramics instructor clean the clay storage room and all of us covered with clay dust. Now, granted, I may find out tomorrow that I’m going to die of silicosis in three months, but I doubt it. None of my old pottery pals from the early 70’s have come down with it. The professor (Don Penny) is now in his 80’s and is still making pots (He’ll be doing Perspectives 2011 with me and the new head of the department, Michael Schmidt in August) and has had two heart attacks but no silicosis.

 

 

 

So, in short, be like azjoe, “…careful but not anal about this.â€

 

 

 

I agree with off center about being careful not anal I also went to school in the seventies, no dust mask no gloves, the only advice we got when mixing glazes was to not eat lunch while you very measuring and be careful around chromium carbonate. I was assigned to a raku glaze testing group, we used red lead like it was going out of style, I guess it was. Denice

[OffCenter]

Take a Jeep down a red clay Georgia dirt road and you’ll inhale more clay dust per minute than you ever will in your studio. Slide into home in a softball game and you inhale some silica. Let your kid play in a sandbox and he/she inhales some silica dust. It’s part of dirt and it is everywhere.

 

 

Yup....bingo. And that aspect is part of what is called in the H+S field "total body burden". So if you do those other things AND you then add in exposure in the studio to the same or similar matetials... they are all cumulative.

 

No.... I agree completely over-reacting is not good. Being fully and accurately informed about the situation is good. Then a person can make an informed decision.

 

There is a TON of good health and safety reference materials out there. Just because it is "art" does not somehow make the various materials we use safe. They aer the same materials that people in facttories handle. And or exposure are often in some ways potentially greater than that in an industrial setting where levels of contaminants in the air are monitored.

 

Studio artists should do theuir homework on tis stuff.

 

best,

 

...............john

 

 

I must have missed the post where someone said that art makes materials we use safe.