[TheForge] The Beard vs. the Respirator

[Robert J Hill]

That same lanolin is good for the splits one gets in their fingertips.   
It takes a few days to work but it makes a nice hard callous where the  
crack is.
So is there a respirator that works for grinding dust, welding and  
hexavalent chromium fumes?  I know this is probably right up there with  
baldness and other wonder cures but it doesn't hurt to look into it.

Thanks,

Rob
On Jan 13, 2008, at 16:04, Bruce Freeman wrote:

I'm a chemist and I'm bearded.  I always refused
respirator training (and hence never used a
respirator) because they required shaving at least a
portion of the face.  My position was that if they
wanted me to work with nasties, they could damned well
buy me a supplied air system.

So, I've heard the same thing. I understand from those
who got training that one test is to block the "ports"
where you attach the cartridges and to inhale.  The
mask should seal against the skin and prevent the
passage of air anywhere around the mask.

So, if you have the mask already and you don't mind a
vaseline mess, try that test.  I don't know whether
vaseline is viscous enough.  It's possible to dissolve
a certain amount of melted paraffin wax or even
polyethylene (which is a paraffin plastic) in melted
vaseline.  You'd have to experiment to get the
proportions right.  A proper mixture (cooled to skin
temp, of course) is more viscous than vaseline.  Be
aware that vaseline will damage latex rubber, so make
sure your mask will not be harmed by it before trying
this.

Another possibility is lanolin, if you don't mind the
smell.  Anhydrous lanolin is thick and viscous, good
for the skin.  (If you are on a doctor-ordered low
cholesterol diet, don't eat the stuff.  High in
cholesterol.  I don't really believe in
low-cholesterol diets, tho.)  Fougera has this
available, usually sold through drug stores.  Ask your
pharmacist.

Bruce
NJ

--- Mark Novak <mark at fireworkspdx.com> wrote:

> I need to ask this question before I shave. I wear a
> respirator when
> I'm grinding, so as to minimize the amount of metal
> dust I inhale,
> but I have a beard that interferes with the
> effectiveness of the
> mask. The guy at my local Safety Store told me in no
> uncertain terms,
> "If you don't shave the beard off, the mask will
> never work
> properly," which is what I was noticing while
> wearing it. He told me
> that there is no respirator that works on guys with
> beards... they
> all need skin contact.
>
> Does anyone out there have a beard and wear a
> respirator effectively?
> And if so, how did you do it? Did you fill your
> beard with vaseline?
> Did you shave a silly looking thin line wear the
> mask can rest on
> your skin?
>
> Mark Novak
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