best respirator

M

magnum .44

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Jun 12, 1999
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my father is a welder, from welding some galvanized he got sick. i wold like to prevent this from happening to him again. i need to know the best half mask respirator, it needs to be able to fit under a welding mask. comfortable also becuase he needs it all day some days. it also needs special filters so i won't let vapors or smoke through it. thanks
 
I used to have a 3M 7200 half mask respirator when I was working at a welding shop for a summer job, it was ok but depending on the mask it'd mash the catridges into your face. The one i've got now is a North, think the model # is 77BP30, its the same idea, except that there's hoses that run to your back, where the cartridges are located, which is a LOT better IMO, since you're not sucking your air from where all the smoke and other crap is thickest.

For what its worth though, you might want to show him this bit I pulled off OSHA's website:
Zinc oxide

The metal surfaces of some cars are galvanized with zinc. Welding on these surface causes the formation of a zinc oxide fume. Excessive exposure to zinc oxide fume can result in metal fume fever. The symptoms of metal fume fever include: fever, chills, muscular pain, nausea and vomiting. Workers may develop metal fume fever at zinc oxide concentrations greater than
5 mg/m.3-4
 
thanks, do you have a number where i can reach the dealer? you've been i big help dad will be greatful.
 
Magnum, I am not sure they make a respirator that will take care of the zinc. I just got a new 3M respirator for welding fumes, I will check the number on it and post it here tommorrow. Galvanize poisioning is very bad, had it myself, chills shakes sweats barfing etc. galvanize poisioning is also accumulative, use lots of fresh air fan behind your back, weld at arms length, best possible would be breathing air using an oxygen mask like the ambulance uses. Also drink lots of milk, it helps.
 
thanks for the tips mike, dad and i were talking about him getting an oxygen mask.
thanks in advance for the number.
 
As a practicing safety and health professional I do alot of work in manufacturing operations and come across many types of respirators. Any good particulate respirator will remove metal fumes, zinc included. It is difficult to find a respirator that will fit under a welding helmet comfortably. Good respirators can be had from 3M, MSA, North and Willson. North has a disposable respirator with rubber facepiece that runs around $12 that is low profile and designed to fit under a welding helmet. Willson has one called the Trimweld that costs about $20 with replacement filters running $18.50 for a package of 10. One of the best types of respirators for welding is a powered air purifying respirator. The user wears a battery pack/fan/filter unit on the belt that pushes filtered air through a tube to the helmet, providing a constant flow of fresh air. The helmets are available with provision for welding shields. Unfortunately, these are priced beyond most people, ($500 to $1000) except those that can get their employer to buy one for them. These are much more confortable to wear than your typical 1/2 facepiece negative pressure respirators.

Be aware that a person should have a physical exam before wearing any respirator because respirator use can aggravate medical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, lung disease etc. A basic physical to check for anything that would make wearing a respirator unsafe. Any respirator should also be fit tested to make sure that it provides a good seal to the user's face, otherwise the contaminants can get around the edges of the respirator. A good source for respirators is Lab Safety Supply at 1-800-356-0783. They have a good catalog that shows the many different types of respirators. They also carry alot of other safety equipment useful to knifemakers and welders. Sorry I got so long winded with this post, but selecting a proper respirator is not to be taken lightly. Ken
 
Magnum, the respirator I have is a 3M 6300, it is for welding fumes, low profile will fit under my fibermetal 910 quite comfortably. The package says it is not to be used for contaminates that are dangerius to health and life. The 3M technical assistance # is 1 800 243 4630 in Canada it is 1 800 267 4114. You do not want AN OXYGEN MASK IF YOU GO THAT ROUTE YOU WANT BREATHING AIR,oyygen and welding is bad news, breathing air regulators and bottles are made so they can't be used with oxygen. I would like to add a note here, a welder is the machine used to weld with a weldor is one who welds, a little pet peeve of mine, most everyone today uses welder to refer to the "Artiste" holding the stinger. ( end of Rant).

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If winners never quit and quitters never win. What fool said quit while you're ahead?
 
thanks ken, i'll tell him the suggestion. cost is no matter when it comes to safety, i talked with him and we discussed that he shouldn't look at the cost, but instead look at what it can do for you. i've seen those air supplied weldind helmets, but i forgot about them. i'll look for them again. i have the lab safety catalog, so i'll flip through that till i find respirators.
mike, i wasn't gonna use oxygen, but supplied air instead. i may try giving 3m a call, to see what they recommend.
i never knew they were called weldors, it sounds cool though.
thanks for the tips and suggestions mike and ken.
 
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