Glue and paint fumes

[airfixian]

What do members think about glue and paint fumes, how dangerous to health are they without facemasks? 

[Rael]

I have used oil paints, white spirits and glue for many years and have never had any problem. I'm sure they must be bad for you over time but if it is just brief exposure a few times a week I don't think its a big issue. I'm sure some people including doctors would definetly disagree with me and tell me to wear a face mask. If you are worried about the fumes or have had any previous health problems there is no reason why you cannot wear a mask.

Happy building! Rael Tremeer

[DavidJC]

I'm not convinced a face mask will protect against fumes, especially not the simple ones. If anything they could be more dangerous as the wearer thinks they are protected against all sorts when the reality could be different.

 

I generally only wear a facemask when spray-painting, other times I tend not to, but as Rael says, perhaps we all should at all times, but it would have to be an adequate mask.

[Ratch]

 I recommend acrylic paints.

Its not that I think enamels are dangerous (though SWMBO didn't like the smell). At Mettoy, the smell of the MEK and Toluene from the Paint Farm got you high, but I loved the smell - well before H&S got a look in.

[vimal_indrasoma]

 You can get the better ones with active carbon filters - that should absorb any fumes as well as keep out resin dust and paint drops.

 

Oh, I DO love the smell of Durofix® in the morning ...

[Dad Paul B]

I have had to do COSHH assessments for some of these and the hazard is low enough with small scale use to not be a problem. Room ventilation is perfectly adequate unless you are spraying. Occasional spraying in a largish well ventilated area will be OK (in a regular room the smell will hang around for ages and you have more volatiles to cause a problem. Try and hunt out Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on items and look out for phrases like 'Causes Sensitisation by inhalation/skin contact - R36 and 38 if memory serves' as these can be a problem. Cement, superglue and enamel/acrylic paints are OK. Epoxies can be a problem (skin sensitisers) so wear gloves if mixing by hand. Milliput does contain sensitisers, other 2 part putties might. They should have hazard labels on the container for sale in the EU.

I would watch out if you have asthma as the fumes could trigger a reaction. The dust masks you get in DIY shops won't help as they are generally for dust only. You would need the cartridge type for fumes. Also watch out for corrosives in things like glass etch and Rosin in solders if you are using them for anything.

But in general there is not a lot to worry about.

[Sgt.Squarehead]

 Acrylic paints & Tamiya Limonene cement.....Problem solved (at least until it's time for oil-washes).

[Oliver Hyett]

i have made many a model before and never used a mask and it has never harmed me