.Dual Cartridge Silicon Mask
Protection Factor of 10.
I have finally ordered my super safe small particle protection mask. It looks pretty Space Age to me. It is the more secure protection but you have to choose from a number of cartridges to get the protection you need for your studio situation. Here is the link that describes the cartridges and what they are good for.
I am sure though that I will wear it, especially after I vacuum my studio, or while I am carving and even sponging off my pieces. I checked with a couple of clay suppliers before I made my choice. I even checked out our local Tractor Supply store. It is a complicated process. Just because you wear a mask, it turns out, doesn't mean that you are getting protection.
Baileys puts it this way:
Can You Answer These Questions?
What is a PEL?
Are all dust masks adequate protection for any dust applications?
Does a charcoal cartridge filter out dust?
If you can’t answer these questions, then realistically, you don’t have a sufficient knowledge of your raw materials, or how to adequately protect yourself! Wearing a mask without knowledge of proper application can be dangerous, It provides a false sense of security. Wearing no mask is ludicrous. Get informed!
The next thing I found out is that getting informed is complicated. Bailey's has an excellent section on how to get informed enough to pick out the correct protection for the air borne hazards in your studio.
Disposable Dust/Mist Respirator
NIOSH/MSHA Approved
This mask offers some protection from small particles. But it is not as good a fit as the space age one. It is rated a Protection Factor of 5.
Getting informed about dust protection is key to your health and safety. Here is the link to the Baileys Ceramics information on this subject. http://www.baileypottery.com/safetyequip/dustprotection.htm
If you have ideas and suggestions for ceramic studio safety, please share with us in the comment section. We are all eager to learn more about this important subject.
Thanks for doing this post Mary, I think this is such an important topic for people to understand.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Mary! Lots of good and important information… I've got one of those space ages ones back from when I used to clean the University clay studio. Went out on my own to buy one with lots of extra filters because "facilities" would only provide the little white dust masks. So important to not breathe clay dust!!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Thrilled to see this. Safety is often not covered well, even in college courses.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if anyone's using a sprayer, but if you are spraying or doing raku, you should be wearing the "space age" version...every time. ;)