I appreciate your input. I was simply presenting the facts as I know them, based on my experience. Like I said, the manufacturer of WeldOn states that an air-supplied respirator is required and a paint type/organic vapor cartridge does NOT provide protection. I did not know this until after I had been using it for years. Then, I found it in some safety data sheet online and I was pretty concerned.
However, with that said, it appears they have recently reformulated their product this year and the new formula is referred to as "Low VOC" so it may no longer be as toxic. I do know they reformulated #3 a while back and I was told by a friend who builds professionally that newer stuff doesn't work as well so he switched to #4. Apparently, #4 is now reformulated as well. The old formula stuff I've been using for the last 6 years is noxious. I used a quality 3M respirator and I could smell it anyway. I could smell it with a fresh cartridge and it only got worse over time. I keep my cartridges sealed in a Ziplock bag when not in use as recommended by the manufacturer. I got headaches from exposure and it left me feeling light headed. When I read the MSDS, I realized I was not properly protected from the fumes.
The bottom line is, when you use this stuff for hours at a time, several days a week like I do, you need to take precautions. Perhaps I need to worry about this more than the average hobbyist since I have a lot more exposure to it than most people. But, I am not going to risk my health any more than necessary.
BTW, I looked up air-supplied respirators and found setups costing around $2000. The mask itself is not that much as you say, but then you need the air supply and all the equipment that goes with it! This is not the sort of thing you want to scrimp on as you are directly breathing whatever it puts out.
Also, isn't MeK and/or Xylene in styrene cements? I seem to recall one, the other, or both listed as ingredients in the tube type cements we used to use growing up. Nasty stuff! Hopefully that is changing, but we need to be aware of what we are breathing when we work on models.
As to paint spray booths, there is some debate online about using ordinary fans. It is true that there aren't a lot of reports about fires resulting from these. However, it is a fact that professional/industrial setups use spark-proof or spark-resistant fans. If you think it is safe to use an ordinary box fan in your setup, I won't argue about it. Just keep in mind, an ordinary fan makes little sparks inside the motor. IF the solvent level in the air passing over it ever gets concentrated enough, it could ignite. That doesn't mean it will, but I simply take a "better safe than sorry" approach.
PS I located one of the warnings from the manufacturer. I am assuming this applies to the "classic" formulation. See attached.
However, with that said, it appears they have recently reformulated their product this year and the new formula is referred to as "Low VOC" so it may no longer be as toxic. I do know they reformulated #3 a while back and I was told by a friend who builds professionally that newer stuff doesn't work as well so he switched to #4. Apparently, #4 is now reformulated as well. The old formula stuff I've been using for the last 6 years is noxious. I used a quality 3M respirator and I could smell it anyway. I could smell it with a fresh cartridge and it only got worse over time. I keep my cartridges sealed in a Ziplock bag when not in use as recommended by the manufacturer. I got headaches from exposure and it left me feeling light headed. When I read the MSDS, I realized I was not properly protected from the fumes.
The bottom line is, when you use this stuff for hours at a time, several days a week like I do, you need to take precautions. Perhaps I need to worry about this more than the average hobbyist since I have a lot more exposure to it than most people. But, I am not going to risk my health any more than necessary.
BTW, I looked up air-supplied respirators and found setups costing around $2000. The mask itself is not that much as you say, but then you need the air supply and all the equipment that goes with it! This is not the sort of thing you want to scrimp on as you are directly breathing whatever it puts out.
Also, isn't MeK and/or Xylene in styrene cements? I seem to recall one, the other, or both listed as ingredients in the tube type cements we used to use growing up. Nasty stuff! Hopefully that is changing, but we need to be aware of what we are breathing when we work on models.
As to paint spray booths, there is some debate online about using ordinary fans. It is true that there aren't a lot of reports about fires resulting from these. However, it is a fact that professional/industrial setups use spark-proof or spark-resistant fans. If you think it is safe to use an ordinary box fan in your setup, I won't argue about it. Just keep in mind, an ordinary fan makes little sparks inside the motor. IF the solvent level in the air passing over it ever gets concentrated enough, it could ignite. That doesn't mean it will, but I simply take a "better safe than sorry" approach.
PS I located one of the warnings from the manufacturer. I am assuming this applies to the "classic" formulation. See attached.
Charles Adams | www.StarshipBuilder.com | Follow me on Facebook
Author, MODEL DESIGN & BLUEPRINTING HANDBOOK, Volume 1 SECOND EDITION NOW AVAILABLE
Author, MODEL DESIGN & BLUEPRINTING HANDBOOK, Volume 1 SECOND EDITION NOW AVAILABLE