Hey Mike,
you are not the only one who did foolish things as a youngster, I did much the
same
thing, although maybe not as much as you.
On the other hand, just a few days ago I was in the garage and spraying some
paint
(outside, wearing a respirator), a little MIG welding (no respirator, poor
ventilation)
and rust removal (phosphate acid solution - pan sitting on the workbench, I
would
occasionally stir the pan, inside, poor ventilation). A little while later I
noticed
that I had a lasting taste in my mouth (metallic) and moved the pan outside.
An hour or
two later I noticed that my lungs hurt and I started coughing. By the next
day my
lungs were fine, but it is a reminder to be careful.
I too am trying to determine how much precaution to take while still doing the
things
that I like to do. My thoughts are:
1. buy a nice respirator (about $30.00). If you can smell or taste what you
are
spraying, then it is time to change cartidges. A good quality unit seals quite
well to
my face (I can never get the paper masks to seal), so I ue it for dust control
also.
2. I moved by cleaning tank to outside and perform all of my sovent cleaning
out there.
3. I buy latex gloves (50 pair for about $8.00) after I realized that when
cleaning,
much more solvent is able to absorb into the body through the skin then by
breathing.
4. I use a home made bead blasting unit outside.
5. I plan my spray painting to be either done outside, or the last thing that I
do
inside the garage (I then leave the garage for the night).
If you get a good answer for a spray booth I would like to hear the answer.
-Roger
Mike Rambour wrote:
>
> Geez, I just started typing and kept going. Sorry its long...
>
> Actually I am not sure what I am looking for. As a young fool, I worked
> with Tri-chlorethane on a daily basis for 4 years, sticking my hands in it,
> breathing it, etc. Then I went and became a cabinet maker for almost 10
> years and breathed sawdust every day, I decided to stop when I ended up in
> the hospital and barely able to breathe on my own. That was now 15 years
snip
>
> And yes, I should stop playing in the garage, but I am a very weird
> person who believes one should live his life and not die wishing he had had
> a life. So I will be more careful and I plan some things better, like
> instead of painting small parts one a day, I wait and do them all on the
> weekend, my thinking is I get less fumes and bad stuff when done once a
> week than I would everyday. Ok, so maybe I am wrong at least I am trying
> to be careful, I already promised my daughter I would babysit my grandkids
> when she has some kids so I have to stick around many more years.
>
> mike
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