Respirator Filters for GALVANIZED ?

By Lawrence (*****)

Date 03-25-2009 02:07

Look at 3M(TM) Particulate Respirator PN 07187, N95

By Oregon Jake (**)

Date 03-25-2009 02:43

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?66666UuZjcFSLXTtoxMVOXF6EVuQEcuZgVs6EVs6E666666--

Getting sick isn't worth any job.

By chris2698 (****)

Date 03-25-2009 09:53 Edited 03-25-2009 10:00

I use 3m respirator and the filters are 2097 is the number and they filter out grinding dust and welding smoke/fumes. These filters are awsome I wear this thing everyday allday. I actually almost blew myself up because I had the torch going and didn't smell it because of the filters filtering so good so on one hand my lungs will be safe on the other hand you can't smell some of that stuff so I guess I will chance not smelling that stuff. The respirator mask part is about 13.50 and the filters are about 7.60 ruffly. Wearing it all day long 4/10s I can get about 3 or maybe 4 weeks out of the filters. Well worth the money, no more bad allergies or stuffy nose. Hey that could be a comercial for them LOL

I think I started a trend at work because alot more people are wearing mask for grinding and welding, It's just plain stupid not to wear them, so yeah maybe you don't look cool like some other people but I'll be healthy and alive while there gonna be 10ft under. I sure wish I was taught about wearing a respirator the day I started welding. I had old timers say you can't wear that under a shield they don't fit well I got news for them, it fits like a dam glove. Ok enough rambling go get the respirator with the 2097 filters and you won't be disappointed and you can breath very easily with this thing on.

I also gotta comment on the N95 filters there a "JOKE" they are only for filtering dust you need a respirator with the 2097 filters to really filter out the toxic fumes of welding.

Chris

By jwright650 (*****)

Date 03-25-2009 13:16 Edited 03-25-2009 13:33

We use a 3M #8514 disposable "respirator", it has 4 straps and also has an exhale valve...It is made especially for welding on galv, stainless, ect. filtering out the metal fumes associated with it. They are good for about 8 hrs, so keep plenty on hand for your guys. It is low profile and fits easily under a welding shield.

http://www.sentrysafetysupply.com/display_product_1671/3M-Particulate-Respirator-8514-N95-with-Nuisance-Level-Organic-Vapor-Relief-Box10.htm

pic of box:

By awspartb (***)

Date 03-25-2009 19:15

Thanks for the info. We have the 3M half face and will use the 2097 filters.

I once got so sick from torch burning zinc coated steel that I thought I was going to die.
Shakes and shivers, severe flu symptoms like I've rarely experienced before. Not something I want to experience again.

Thanks again!

By chris2698 (****)

Date 03-25-2009 19:44

I've used the n95 and I didn't feel like it filterd as good as the 2097 filters. I mean yeah it filterd the smoke but not really the fumes I could still smell them

By devo

Date 03-26-2009 01:08

The 3M 2097 filter (which is a P100 type, better than N99 or N95) also has a thin layer of activated charcoal for "nuisance odor" protection. So they do a great job of filtering odors, especially when you are squatting down to weld with a nasty case of beer farts.

By scrappywelds (***)

Date 03-26-2009 01:57

we have a contractor remove the galvanize for use before we do a job along with lead paint. slows the job down a little bit, but I not breathing that stuff. Even then we use the disposable 3M masks in the pics above.

By PipeIt

Date 03-26-2009 14:28

When I was 18 a shop turned my loose welding galvanized turn vanes and no one told me what the hell could happen. Man did I get sick, I run a shop now and anytime we are cutting that stuff I tell the boys to take care and ventilate.

By chris2698 (****)

Date 03-27-2009 09:33

I've heard of old timers talk about drink milk that it helps keep you from coughing but that makes no sense wear a resperator

By Joe Davidson (**)

Date 03-27-2009 13:18

I was always told that the galvanized would eat the lining of your stomach. Drinking milk coats your stomach and helps to stop that. I have always drank milk and been fine, but as I age I wonder what damage has been done to my lungs from breathing all that smoke.

By Lawrence (*****)

Date 03-27-2009 13:50

Joe,

The Medical field has not recorded any long term ill effects from metal fume fever... The sickness we get from the zinc is an allergic reaction..

When I was a pup and diddn't even know resparators existed, milk seemed to help... This is not an endorsement of using milk instead of PPE... Use a resparator if you can't avoid your hood in the smoke plume!

http://files.aws.org/technical/facts/FACT-25.PDF

By Joe Davidson (**)

Date 03-27-2009 15:09

Thanks for the info Lawrence, that's good to know. I guess my wife is right when she says my death will be by hands. lol

By awspartb (***)

Date 03-29-2009 00:11 Edited 03-29-2009 00:20

I long for the day when all the Caveman welders retire! These are the old bast*rds who tell the young guys entering the trade that you are a "pussy", "wimp" or "troublemaker" if you question welding fume issues on the job. Most of these jerks are gone (died early from some horrible lung disease) but many are still around. They usually have a cigarette hanging out of there mouths underneath their welding hood. They may be great welders and metal fabricators but they are idiots when it comes to health and safety. Time can't pass fast enough to get these guys out of the trade. Every green 20 year old welder they call a pussy for wearing a respirator is a future 50 year old cancer patient. If you tell a 20 year old he's a pussy for wearing a respirator, he will never wear one again! Just my opinion of course.
Anything that makes you this sick short term can't be good for you long term.

http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_277000.html

Metal Fume Fever, ZINC OSHA:

Health Factors
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 500 mg/m3

Potential symptoms: Metal fume fever: chills, muscle ache, fever; dry throat, cough; lassitude (weakness, exhaustion); metallic taste; headache; blurred vision; low back pain; vomiting; malaise (vague feeling of discomfort); chest tightness; dyspnea (breathing difficulty), rales, decreased pulmonary function.

Health Effects: Acute systemic toxicity (Metal fume fever) (HE4) Mutagen (HE2)

Affected organ: Respiratory system