Dont wanna die

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**kronicpsycho**

Hi guys, I've recently gottin into airbrushing and just relised i dont wanna die. So I'm using alcohol / isocol to clean my airbrush and should be using a respirator but haven't... what respirator should I use Ive been reading around and people are saying Respirator organic vapours. Is this right.

james

**AzureDeath**

My first question is are you using water based paints? If so you don't really need anything but a paper mask available at wal-mart or other stores. If you are using laquer or enamels then a better one you can get at auto paint stores or Harbor Freigt would be the best. Being in an open area will help to not need one at all. Hope this helps.

**kronicpsycho**

AzureDeath wrote:
My first question is are you using water based paints? If so you don't really need anything but a paper mask available at wal-mart or other stores. If you are using laquer or enamels then a better one you can get at auto paint stores or Harbor Freigt would be the best. Being in an open area will help to not need one at all. Hope this helps.

I'm using acrylics, Games Workshop and Vallejo paints. But when I clean my airbrush I use Isocol it can damage your nurvus system or something D: got me worried.... wouldn't I need a mask for that? lol

**ScootyPuffJunior**

Buy a cleaning pot with a filter and you won't have anything to worry about.

**progreen10**

I would say if you are still worried, get one of those cheap dust masks from a hardware store

**Alleton**

A dust mask won't help against vapors. You need a chemical mask. Same concept and looks similar, but just a little more expensive. Unless your cleaning causes particles to fly into the air, the vapors are what you need to be worried about. Also, if it attacks the nervous system, you may want to check and see if physical contact could do harm as well. Do you use gloves when you clean? Another thing, if vapors or dust are your problem, you need eye protection as well. Anyhting that can harm you by being ingested or inhaled likely can harm by absorption as well.

**kronicpsycho**

Alleton wrote:
A dust mask won't help against vapors. You need a chemical mask. Same concept and looks similar, but just a little more expensive. Unless your cleaning causes particles to fly into the air, the vapors are what you need to be worried about. Also, if it attacks the nervous system, you may want to check and see if physical contact could do harm as well. Do you use gloves when you clean? Another thing, if vapors or dust are your problem, you need eye protection as well. Anyhting that can harm you by being ingested or inhaled likely can harm by absorption as well.

Thanks for the response mate, I'll link the stuff I'm using. It's used as an antiseptic.

http://www.isocol.com.au/

should I just get one of them cups or w/e? and what type of mask?

**HairySticks**

http://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-4251-FFA1P2D-Respirator-Mask/dp/B000VDPNCQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351698859&sr=8-1

Something like that is what 'should' be worn, 'half mask respirator with protection against organic gas and particles'

An air fed full mask should be worn when your spraying a LOT of paint in confined spaces (which you shouldn't be doing really)

If you were working a job involving paint spraying, then this would be company policy to protect against being sued.

But being as your at home doing a hobby, its your responsibility to do the health n' safety side of things, provided the area is well ventilated you will do okay without one while spraying most hobby acrylics. When spraying the thinners for cleaning, alcohol isnt the worst of the bunch so again you will probably be okay. Remember your spraying such a small amount of the stuff (hopefully) in a probably quite large (litres of air) space. If you get a propper respirator mask then you will not smell or taste anything from the outside world whilst wearing it, when you can its time for new filters or mask replacement.

**Primestick**

They spray it on little kids, I don't think the little bit you use to spray our you brush will hurt you. Keep it at arms length and be in a well ventilated area. If you are really concerned email them and ask them for the msds and read it. It will tell you every thing about the chemical.

People, drink this feth to try and get drunk...

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/10/the-downside-of/

Drank two whole bottles before it almost killed him.

**kronicpsycho**

HairySticks wrote:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-4251-FFA1P2D-Respirator-Mask/dp/B000VDPNCQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351698859&sr=8-1

Something like that is what 'should' be worn, 'half mask respirator with protection against organic gas and particles'

An air fed full mask should be worn when your spraying a LOT of paint in confined spaces (which you shouldn't be doing really)

If you were working a job involving paint spraying, then this would be company policy to protect against being sued.

But being as your at home doing a hobby, its your responsibility to do the health n' safety side of things, provided the area is well ventilated you will do okay without one while spraying most hobby acrylics. When spraying the thinners for cleaning, alcohol isnt the worst of the bunch so again you will probably be okay. Remember your spraying such a small amount of the stuff (hopefully) in a probably quite large (litres of air) space. If you get a propper respirator mask then you will not smell or taste anything from the outside world whilst wearing it, when you can its time for new filters or mask replacement.

I no, but breathing it is different to drinkingit. It can make you go blind if you have long time. I asked my doctor. THank you hairy for your lengthy response... were I'm spraying is in my office.

I have the door open that goes to the outside, and another door open that leads into the living room. I don't think this is enough room so its safer to just wear a mask I think.. plus ive been getting massive headaches after using the alcohol.

**chromedog**

Yeah, ethanol fumes can do that to you.
We used to use pure ethanol to clean circuitboards at work (after about 10 minutes you started to get woozy - but that was more lack of oxy than from breathing in the fumes.

Try NOT to spray ethanol (or ethanol/methanol/isopropyl alcohol) in a confined space if NOT wearing a proper mask. Inside a building counts as "enclosed spaces" in case you were wondering.

Unless your office is an entire warehouse space, in which case, you should be fine.

**kronicpsycho**

chromedog wrote:
Yeah, ethanol fumes can do that to you.
We used to use pure ethanol to clean circuitboards at work (after about 10 minutes you started to get woozy - but that was more lack of oxy than from breathing in the fumes.

Try NOT to spray ethanol (or ethanol/methanol/isopropyl alcohol) in a confined space if NOT wearing a proper mask. Inside a building counts as "enclosed spaces" in case you were wondering.

Unless your office is an entire warehouse space, in which case, you should be fine.

Do you think a dust an mist mask will be ok?

**Tangent**

Quick question on this: I, too, just got a paintbrush. I use Vallejo Model Air paints and a Createx Airbrush Cleaner seen here: http://www.amazon.com/Createx-Airbrush-Cleaner-4-oz/dp/B000IVPWB8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351770715&sr=8-1&keywords=createx+airbrush+cleaner

I also have a container with a filter, seen here: http://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Medea-NAC-201-Cleaning-Station/dp/B000VADIVC/ref=pd_sim_hg_2

I put the paint in the airbrush and paint something. Then I put the Createx cleaner into the airbrush, insert the airbrush into the container, and spray it all out.

Is this alright? Do I need a mask for this?

**itsacoyote**

If you're going to use a mask, don't just get a basic mask filter, you need something that filters out organic vapors, just like everyone else has said. You'll want an organic vapor mask, not a particulate filter mask.

**wolfenstolme**

In my opinion you're overreacting massively, the amount of ventillation you've described sounds more then adequate unless you're cleaning for hours at a time.

Get a mask if it makes you feel better, but headaches are not a sign of long term nervous damage.

**itsacoyote**

When it comes to health, I dont' think there is ever an issue with "overreacting massively". Health is health, and when you destroy that, it's not coming back as easily or ever at the level it used to be.
Yes, getting a headache may not mean you're going to get nerve damage, it's more that you're not getting enough oxygen in your bloodstream. You've got chemicals floating around and opening rooms will help a little, but it's not going to mean much unless you've got the ventilation properly set up to move air through, otherwise it's just open dead air. Another thing is that with those chemicals, you're slightly irritating your lungs, for most of us that may not be a big issue, but for someone that may not have a great respiratory system (for example, asthmatic), this can be a problem. No, likely the kind of chemicals and the amount your breathing is nowhere near to some act like huffing, but it most certainly does not mean that your body is wholly impervious to it all.

**AllSeeingSkink**

You only really need a chemical mask when using things that release vapours. Just regular spraying, a particulate mask is fine because it stops mists, which is the main thing in the air when spraying paint than actual gaseous chemicals. I always aim to have good ventilation when working with any sort of chemicals, get cross ventilation, set up fans, all that stuff. A mask that actually seals to your face and keeps stuff out is mighty uncomfortable, at least I find, especially if you have a beard.