Over in the Workplace Griping thread in the Pit, we have a Dope complaining that painting operations are exposing her to chemical fumes. I inquired about whether she could be issued a respiratory face mask to neutralize the hazard.
Does anyone have any experience with this type of PPE? How effective is it at not only protecting the lungs from the fumes, but preventing the wearer from even smelling the odor of the paint and other volatiles that are being wafted into the air?
I was going to be painting a windowless bathroom with an oil-based primer, so I bought a respirator similar to that at Lowe’s for something like 30 dollars or so, I think.
I remember that it worked very well. Not 100% elimination of odor, maybe 98% or 99% (in other words, there seemed to be a slight chemical smell that got through), so the smell of the primer was negligible and easily tolerated. When I took the respirator off after finishing, standing in an adjacent room, the smell of the primer was overpowering, so the respirator definitely was worthwhile.
It was fairly comfortable to wear, as well. The filters have a finite lifespan and need to be replaced. I think there are different grades of filters, too.
I am not an expert in PPE, but a mask of that style (reusable half-mask) with specific solvent cartridges can and will reduce her exposure to organic vapours (or whatever else the cartridges are certified for). A dust mask will not work, even though you see people using those on TV all the time.
3M is a company that makes a lot of these products and their website may be useful to help select the appropriate mask. One of the most important things, though, is that the user be fit tested for the right mask; one that fits a large man will not be suitable for a small woman and vice versa. They need to be worn correctly (use ALL straps) and yes, they are supposed to feel like you’re not getting outside air, since the outside air is what’s contaminated! The cartridges also have a limited lifetime and need to be replaced periodically, otherwise the user isn’t adequately protected. For men, they cannot be worn with facial hair; a full-face mask is required in that instance.
If this is an industrial use, the company the doper works for can contact out appropriate fit testing and mask selection services; I know 3M does this in Canada, since I still have the card from them from when they tested me, but any industrial safety firm could provide resources for the necessary training.
ETA: the mask you linked to is a particulate filter and is not suitable for paint solvents. Look for Organic Vapour cartridges… both styles fit the same halfmask, it’s just a matter of swapping them out or, if you need both types of protection, stacking them.
Thanks for the thought, guys, but the painting should be done by the end of the week - not worth buying equipment. If I have a hard time breathing tomorrow, I will just go home and see what I can work on remotely. And if I don’t get everything done, well, too bad - they should have thought about what the effects of chemical fumes in the workplace would be, and I’m not the only person who hasn’t been feeling well because of it (though my breathing issues are probably the most obvious problem - you can hear me coughing across the office).
And no, it’s not (normally) an industrial workplace; it’s a law firm. I never would have taken a job in an industrial workplace with chemical fume exposure; I’ve had crummy lungs my whole life.
I don’t know the occupational health and safety regulations in Chicago, but up here you have the right to refuse to work - while paid - if you feel that a workplace environment is unsafe. Your company must (if properly enforced) investigate the issue and basically show that the exposure is minimal and the environment is safe, or find a way to mitigate the issue until it is safe.
Though keep in mind that just because you can smell something doesn’t mean you are being exposed to a dangerous level; sometimes our noses are just very good sensors for things! If it’s making you ill (and it isn’t just because it’s an unpleasant smell, but rather is having an actual physiological effect) then you have the right to have the company address it (assuming your health regulations are similar to ours).
It was making me quite observably ill - I have a well-documented history of asthma, and I was having an asthma attack. If it had been merely an unpleasant odor, I would have dealt with it. I think I have the right not to be exposed to noxious fumes in an office environment that cause asthma attacks. And I think the employment attorneys who work in my office would agree, which is what was pissing me off.
The 3M 7183 respirator is for protection against particulate matter, and is not suitable for paint fumes. Actually, wearing this respirator for painting can actually be risky because it will tend to accumulate the paint fumes and hold them right next to your nose and mouth.
Your friend needs a respirator specifically designed for paint fumes. As others have mentioned, this type of respirator generally requires a pulmonary function test as well as a fit test to make sure you have the right sized respirator for your face.
Then invoke your rights under the law. OHSAis a federal thing in the States; you have the right to a safe workplace, and you are protected from retaliation and discrimination. Your lawyers might be employment lawyers but not necessarily occupational health and safety lawyers; make them aware of their responsibilities under federal law and see what they say.
Oh, I don’t think there’s any need for that just yet; fume situation is much better today, and I don’t normally work with the employment lawyers, so they aren’t aware of my crappy lungs. I’m sure the lawyers I do work for (immigration, one of whom also practices employment law) will stick up for me if need be. I just wish the office manager would remember what the H in HR stands for.
Also, on the bright side, my immediate boss confirmed that if I start having trouble breathing again, and there’s nowhere in the office to escape to, I should just go home and see what I can do from there. Which is really what matters.
Another suggstion I saw was to burn a candle during/after painting. (Preferably in a way that it could not tip or have large flammable objects dropped on it). This is a handy hint for any household painting. The flame will accelerate the removal of volatile compounds I’ve heard. I assume the concentration is never even close to flashpoint anyway. Also, good ventilation is always a good idea.
