will these work for micarta fumes?

I had the same question a few months back. I have the privilege of working alongside someone whose highly trained and specialized in bio environmental engineering. One part of their job in the military is to test chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear contaminants. What they also do is test common respirators for any work that goes on within an area of responsibility, such as a base. So I posed the question about micarta and toxic air born contaminants with fine dust particulate. The very cartridges that you linked to are the ones that they use and the ones that she recommended. Of course, their are always better ones out there, but the OV/AG/P100 will do very well for this use. I personally use these on the 3M 600 series respirator. I know a lot of guys on here recommend the 7500 series, but as long as you get the OV/AG/P100 cartridges, you should be fine. They will protect from fumes and particulate. Don't take this as gospel as I'm no expert on this topic. I'm just trying to share what was told to me from someone with a lot of knowledge on the topic. Whatever you do, wear something to protect your lungs.

http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com...epiece-multi-purpose-respirator-assembly.html
 
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The filters will help with breathing the formaldehyde gasses, but your eyes will be watering like crazy.
Place a shop vac outside the shop, and ruin the hose in, placing it right at the end of the belt where the dust and fumes are worst. That will suck up the debris as well as vent away a lot of the fumes. A fan running behind you will help also.
If your shop vac isn't able to be placed outside, put a long hose in the exhaust port and vent that hose outside.
 
bladsmth said:
The filters will help with breathing the formaldehyde gasses, but your eyes will be watering like crazy.
Place a shop vac outside the shop, and ruin the hose in, placing it right at the end of the belt where the dust and fumes are worst. That will suck up the debris as well as vent away a lot of the fumes. A fan running behind you will help also.
If your shop vac isn't able to be placed outside, put a long hose in the exhaust port and vent that hose outside.
Click to expand...

Definitely going to try that one!
 
Unless you are burning the micarta, you probably won't be releasing any "fumes" or vapors - so your main concern is airborne particulates. I wear particulate filters when working micarta, but my main strategy is to keep the dust from getting airborne in the first place. First off, when I shape and contour the material, I tend to use saws and carving files which generate shavings not dust. Second, when I sand, I try to do it wet, to reduce dust.

TedP
 
Those filters will only work if fitted to a mask. The mask will only work if it fits your face properly.
Not much point filtering to 2 microns if there's a 20 thou gap in the face seal.
I use a powered respirator, no worries about face fit, no hassles with making sure mask & goggles work well together, no restrictions to breathing if working hard and it keeps you cool in the summer.
You do still have to make sure you brush yourself down before removing the mask, nothing worse than breathing the dust coming off your clothes or getting it in your eyes from your hair.
 
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