That I need to wear a protective mask every time I do work on my layout.
I don't know. Something has changed, before, for as long as I could remember, I could do sanding, painting, etc... and no problem. However, recently, I found that if I didn't wear one... I didn't feel so good after wards. I have found out that after years of being allergy free, I have developed heredity allergies that everyone else in my family has, mainly dust & pollen allergies.
I know this all sounds painfully awfully obvious, but the last couple of nights, I have put a mask on while doing, well, mainly everything on my layout. It's really been hard, because, I was staying away from working on the layout until I could get checked out. My doc, who knows myself and my family history, basically told me I needed to change my habits, mask etc... It didn't help that with the winter months I've had the windows shut tight to keep the cold out.
So yeah... just felt like I needed to share this. Otherwise, working with the mask on, opening the WINDOWS... I can get stuff done without feeling like a bag of hammers after about an hour or so.
Now that stinks, are you considering installing an air filtration system so you can manage the allergies where your layout is?
Yep, breathing is good. Be safe! Ventilate or mask up!
Ralph
Over time, exposure to various agents can and will create allergies that you did not originally have. in your younger days. Unfortunately, it goes with the territory.
If it's dust or pollen that's causing your problems, a dust mask should help. However, if it's the fumes from paint and glue, a better choice would be a respirator with two-stage filters. While either can be a nuisance to wear, they'll provide the needed protection and you do eventually get used to wearing them. I always wear a two-stage respirator when airbrushing, as it removes all airborne particulate matter and all organic vapours.
We often overlook the fact that a lot of the stuff which we use in modelling can be dangerous if improperly handled, and this includes paints and thinners, paint strippers, glues and cements of various types, and soldering materials, not to mention all the slicing, sawing, and scraping tools which we often use improperly.
Wayne
I don't have any trouble with paint or glue, but when I do light sanding while squaring up edges on those Walthers plastic walls, I develop a nasty cough for a day or so afterwards. Since I do N scale, my 50 yr old eyes need to get close to the work, making inhaling plastic dust a problem. My wife says I look like a mad surgeon wearing a particle mask and a magnifier hat while working ...:geek: .....but it does help.
doctorwayne Wrote:We often overlook the fact that a lot of the stuff which we use in modelling can be dangerous if improperly handled, and this includes paints and thinners, paint strippers, glues and cements of various types, and soldering materials, not to mention all the slicing, sawing, and scraping tools which we often use improperly.
Let's not forget proper disposal of waste. I've spent a few years working with groundwater pollution. In the Phoenix area, we can use every drop of water we can get ahold of. Unfortunately, much of the groundwater in our basin is polluted. Nearly every Dry Cleaners and major industrial complex has an associated pollution plume, and not from accidental leakage. Many of these places once thought it okay to simply dump waste chemicals into the ground for disposal. I've pumped out groundwater that smelled stronger than model glue. If you are worried about harmful effects breathing it in your workshop or train room, it is probably not something you should be dumping on the ground or down the sink, either.
I was told long ago by a physician that virtually all people develop allergies as they age. Also, our bodies don't rebound as easily, or handle stresses of just about any kind as easily, whether physical or mental. We are much less 'plastic' than we were when we were 20. Those performing CPR as part of their daily work, say paramedics, will tell you that they routinely break the ribs of elderly patients when performing that otherwise life-saving act. The cartilage stiffens and won't take the shock and flexing, so the ribs separate from the sternum where the powerful compressions are being applied.
Aging ain't for sissies.
nachoman Wrote:Let's not forget proper disposal of waste. I've spent a few years working with groundwater pollution. In the Phoenix area, we can use every drop of water we can get ahold of. Unfortunately, much of the groundwater in our basin is polluted. Nearly every Dry Cleaners and major industrial complex has an associated pollution plume, and not from accidental leakage. Many of these places once thought it okay to simply dump waste chemicals into the ground for disposal. I've pumped out groundwater that smelled stronger than model glue. If you are worried about harmful effects breathing it in your workshop or train room, it is probably not something you should be dumping on the ground or down the sink, either.
Good point, Kevin.
My spent paint-stripping solvents, used brush cleaner, and expired paints (along with batteries of all types, household chemicals and paints, plus unwanted insecticides, and expired fluorescent light tubes, etc.) is all saved and periodically taken to a nearby hazardous waste disposal site.
Almost all packaging for my modelling that is not re-used goes in the appropriate recycling bin and the plastic bits from kitbashing and scratchbuilding are placed in a bag in a separate waste bin in my workshop, eventually also ending-up in the blue box. Of course, like most modellers, not much gets thrown in the garbage.
Wayne
tetters Wrote:That I need to wear a protective mask every time I do work on my layout.
I don't know. Something has changed, before, for as long as I could remember, I could do sanding, painting, etc... and no problem. However, recently, I found that if I didn't wear one... I didn't feel so good after wards. I have found out that after years of being allergy free, I have developed heredity allergies that everyone else in my family has, mainly dust & pollen allergies.
I know this all sounds painfully awfully obvious, but the last couple of nights, I have put a mask on while doing, well, mainly everything on my layout. It's really been hard, because, I was staying away from working on the layout until I could get checked out. My doc, who knows myself and my family history, basically told me I needed to change my habits, mask etc... It didn't help that with the winter months I've had the windows shut tight to keep the cold out.
So yeah... just felt like I needed to share this. Otherwise, working with the mask on, opening the WINDOWS... I can get stuff done without feeling like a bag of hammers after about an hour or so.
I use this one from Lee Valley. Excellent mask with cartridges that remove dust, pollen, and solvents. Luckily I have a good supply of replacement filters, as it looks like it is discontinued.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=31234&cat=1,42207,42220">http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... 2207,42220</a><!-- m -->
Since there are Lee Valley stores in and around Toronto, I'd suggest that you go and see them and try on a few. If it's not comfortable, you won't wear it...! If you can't get there in person, you might consider this one:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=62067&cat=1,42207,42220">http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... 2207,42220</a><!-- m -->
If it is strictly dust and pollen to deal with, this one provides a much better seal than the standard paper ones with the metal nose bridge:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=62081&cat=1,42207,43647">http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... 2207,43647</a><!-- m -->
Hope that helps.
Andrew