Well I came across this academic paper about the toxicity of solvents. This is an extreme case in which a painter painted walk in fridges, often with the door shut, with old time gloss. Often getting drunk on the fumes. I read most of it and the upshot is if it you are using solvent based in an unventilated space, such as a hallway, wear a mask.

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetc ... 07417#Full Text

Personally I use a mask as soon as the lid comes off any solvent based paint, it is just lazy not to in my book. This mask is so comfortable you'll forget you are wearing it.

http://www.protecdirect.co.uk/Half-Mask ... f-Mask.htm

_________________
To err is human.

http://appledecoratingbristol.co.cc/

I remember reading something last year in the newspaper that 60% of decorators get throat cancer

Oil based is gong to be history in a couple of years.

I think wearing a mask is a good idea but isn't there a danger of scaring the carp out of your client.

Better to use water based and remove any risks altogether.

kinel im defo getting that then,lool been painting for nearly 20 years now and never really wear a mask. Apart from getting the complete p*ss taken out of me by the other trades or decs. Wear one for rubbing down filler etc but not for painting.

Thanks for that Puma

Could you tell me which filters I need to order with the mask please? Is it the A1 or A2? I take it you have to order these separately?

Thanks.

I am the same as Fordy on this one,so do you supply the client with face mask as well if not aint you opening up a can of worms with the insurance company

Hi Deccy, I think the A2's are, as far as I could work out, for high vapour concentrations and you'll probably be fine with the A1's. I use the A2's because I couldn't be bothered to ring / email and check it out. The A1's are probably a little lighter.

The P3's cut out even very fine dust and might be good if you are power sanding etc. I find them useful as the paper ones can get trashed / lost unexpectedly.

The combined dust and vapour filters are noticeably heavy and not that comfortable.

I don't mention this sort of thing to the customer... it's not a problem unless the exposure is repeated.

_________________
To err is human.

http://appledecoratingbristol.co.cc/

I tend to use a respirator most of the time these days, and you get used to them pretty quick. As a 'young dude' I took pride (boneheaded or what?) in my ability to withstand any type of fumes, until on one job, where we were applying stabilising primer to a communal staircase, we all got high (and I mean this high) within a couple of hours. I slept for 2 days straight after that one and developed a profound respect for the toxic nature of what we do.



It's easy to blow off figures like this with glib remarks like 'don't believe what you read in the papers', but do the powers that be really know the long term effect of repeated exposure to toxic vapours? 60% seems alarming, and it makes me wonder, was it the UK being quoted, or a wider area?

20% increase in risk for painters according to the WHO.

_________________
To err is human.

http://appledecoratingbristol.co.cc/

so really what you are all saying is the new 2010 stuff is doing us all favor by making us all use water based trim??? so what was all the complaining about then!!!!

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such is life!

might as well go the whole hog and get one of these http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... /TREAIRPRO.
way its going you will be frighten to go to work,common sense comes into it

Suppose we can at least look forward to the new claim adverts!!

Paint for a living, breathing in those toxic fumes? At painterscompo.con where here to get you the compensation you deserve!

I know one thing ill be the first on the blower,loool

can i have their number as well

Do you think this is why oil based is being phased out quietly, to avoid any massive claims.

I have done a quick search on google and cant find anything about what i read last year but found this on the dailymail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic ... ating.html