Safety and Health Precautions for Two-Part Putty
- Thread starter Guy
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garyjd
PlanetFigure Supporter
Dan & guy, thanks for posting the article. it's great to know that safety information is available to those that want to practice "safe hobbying".~Gary
Dan Morton
A Fixture
Pat - You'd be surprised how many equally dumb things people do with chemicals in industrial settings. But my main concern is that the hobbyists on this forum not be made sick by the chemicals they are using.
Probably many of us don't need to read and heed the safety precautions about putty, paints, etc., but some do. You'd be surprised how many sculptors (including pros) wrote to me within the past six months with allergies, skin irritation, etc., etc. Several were being treated by their doctors and were actually pretty sick. Three that I know of started using the precautions I recommend in the article and (with doctor's care) got better.
Some people don't react at all to 2-part putties for a very long time, esp. if you are in your 20s and in the pink, but eventually the sensitization allergy will catch up to just about everyone. And if you're an oldie like moi, many of those nice protective immune system mechanisms are getting a little clunky, so you learn to take the precautions pretty seriously. I absolutely never mix, apply, or smooth putty without gloves and a respirator and some ventilation going in my work room.
All the best,
Dan
Probably many of us don't need to read and heed the safety precautions about putty, paints, etc., but some do. You'd be surprised how many sculptors (including pros) wrote to me within the past six months with allergies, skin irritation, etc., etc. Several were being treated by their doctors and were actually pretty sick. Three that I know of started using the precautions I recommend in the article and (with doctor's care) got better.
Some people don't react at all to 2-part putties for a very long time, esp. if you are in your 20s and in the pink, but eventually the sensitization allergy will catch up to just about everyone. And if you're an oldie like moi, many of those nice protective immune system mechanisms are getting a little clunky, so you learn to take the precautions pretty seriously. I absolutely never mix, apply, or smooth putty without gloves and a respirator and some ventilation going in my work room.
All the best,
Dan
polyphemus
A Fixture
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2006
- Messages
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Hi All
Just to reiterate what has been said. My own reaction started after a fairly intensive period of sculpting around 150 25mm wargames figures over a 12 month period, before that no problems. My reactions include swollen, cracked and bleeding eyelids. I still suffer the same reactions nearly 20 years later! I can no longer work with any of the 2 part putties, believe me I've tried. Just goes to prove that the sensitivity will grow on you and could very well be permanent. I also experience some reactions with 2 part epoxy resin glues , just not as severe, yet.
Has anyone yet come across similar data re the resins used in figure casting?
Regards
Geoff Taylor
Just to reiterate what has been said. My own reaction started after a fairly intensive period of sculpting around 150 25mm wargames figures over a 12 month period, before that no problems. My reactions include swollen, cracked and bleeding eyelids. I still suffer the same reactions nearly 20 years later! I can no longer work with any of the 2 part putties, believe me I've tried. Just goes to prove that the sensitivity will grow on you and could very well be permanent. I also experience some reactions with 2 part epoxy resin glues , just not as severe, yet.
Has anyone yet come across similar data re the resins used in figure casting?
Regards
Geoff Taylor
Dan Morton
A Fixture
Geoff - I'm sorry to hear of your sensitization experience. Have you tried using any of the 2-part putties with nitrile rubber gloves and a respirator+some good dilution ventilation? If not, FIRST, ask your doctor if it is OK for you to "test the waters", then I can help you select gloves and a respirator, explain what cartridge to use, how to fit the respirator, etc. If you have already tried that and it didn't work, all you can do is just avoid, avoid, avoid.
You ask a very good question about the 2 part resins and I'd be happy to research it for the PF members but need you to tell me the products you are using. Please be as specific as possible, brand, product name, product number, etc., etc. Formulations of proprietary trademarked products are closely-guarded for obvious reasons, but since I'm in the nominal "health care" industry I can usually find out what I need to know. If any of you want to contact me directly, that's fine and I'll respect your privacy, etc.
All the best,
Dan
You ask a very good question about the 2 part resins and I'd be happy to research it for the PF members but need you to tell me the products you are using. Please be as specific as possible, brand, product name, product number, etc., etc. Formulations of proprietary trademarked products are closely-guarded for obvious reasons, but since I'm in the nominal "health care" industry I can usually find out what I need to know. If any of you want to contact me directly, that's fine and I'll respect your privacy, etc.
All the best,
Dan
polyphemus
A Fixture
- Joined
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Hi Dan
Thanks for the response. I have tried pretty much all of the safeguards you mention without any beneficial result. I'm afraid as you say its a case of avoid at all costs.
My question re resins used in casting referred mainly to the working of resin cast figures; filing, sanding etc. There are the standard warnings re use of face masks etc but I do wonder if exposure to these materials is in its relative infancy and that there might possibly be some potential long term damage. Pretty paranoid I know but I have disposed of all resin figures after substantial pressure from my better half. It's quite frightening to see the amount of dust generated at times from cleaning up some of these resin figures and not everyone in the house is walking round wearing face masks!
Regards
Geoff
Thanks for the response. I have tried pretty much all of the safeguards you mention without any beneficial result. I'm afraid as you say its a case of avoid at all costs.
My question re resins used in casting referred mainly to the working of resin cast figures; filing, sanding etc. There are the standard warnings re use of face masks etc but I do wonder if exposure to these materials is in its relative infancy and that there might possibly be some potential long term damage. Pretty paranoid I know but I have disposed of all resin figures after substantial pressure from my better half. It's quite frightening to see the amount of dust generated at times from cleaning up some of these resin figures and not everyone in the house is walking round wearing face masks!
Regards
Geoff
Dan Morton
A Fixture
Resin sanding dust - that's a horse of a different color, Geoff. Once a 2 part resin reacts fully and sets, it changes chemical composition. What was a resin and a hardener now becomes something else, loosing its original chemical properties. If the reaction ran to completion, probably the chemical(s) that caused your sensitivity are no longer present.
Resin sanding dust is generally regarded as an inert particulate. The respiratory system is much less sensitive to such materials and to the best of my knowledge they do not provoke chemical sensitization reactions.
I keep the resin dusts on my work bench and floors under control. I vacuum the floors and wet wipe the bench about every two weeks, more often if I've been particularly sloppy. If I want to grind a lot off a resin carcass, I usually use my garage or the back deck. When I do a big grinding job I wear a respirator. For small hand sanding I normally don't. For all sanding, I rinse the figure with water often, keeping the dusts controlled.
With your prior injury, I would always wear a tight-fitting and correctly sized respirator with a dust filter (P95 or P100 is the US designation). A respirator like that will only work if you are clean-shaven in the area where the respirator fits up against skin. The idea is that the mask must make a vacuum tight seal rubber to skin, so that you are only breathing thru the filters. Facial hair pushes the rubber away from the face, allowing gaps. You breathe in, the air takes the path of least resistance thru the gap and you aren't protected. Size makes a great difference also. If you get the right size (they come in S, M, or L) and mask shape to fit your face, they provide good protection.
All the best,
Dan
Resin sanding dust is generally regarded as an inert particulate. The respiratory system is much less sensitive to such materials and to the best of my knowledge they do not provoke chemical sensitization reactions.
I keep the resin dusts on my work bench and floors under control. I vacuum the floors and wet wipe the bench about every two weeks, more often if I've been particularly sloppy. If I want to grind a lot off a resin carcass, I usually use my garage or the back deck. When I do a big grinding job I wear a respirator. For small hand sanding I normally don't. For all sanding, I rinse the figure with water often, keeping the dusts controlled.
With your prior injury, I would always wear a tight-fitting and correctly sized respirator with a dust filter (P95 or P100 is the US designation). A respirator like that will only work if you are clean-shaven in the area where the respirator fits up against skin. The idea is that the mask must make a vacuum tight seal rubber to skin, so that you are only breathing thru the filters. Facial hair pushes the rubber away from the face, allowing gaps. You breathe in, the air takes the path of least resistance thru the gap and you aren't protected. Size makes a great difference also. If you get the right size (they come in S, M, or L) and mask shape to fit your face, they provide good protection.
All the best,
Dan
I have read of people having a reaction from handling resin models but IIRC it was a reaction to the traces of the silicone or latex mould still present on the casting. I suppose the first thing to do is wash the model well before handling
Dan Morton
A Fixture
Absolutely Pat! Good point! Wash any newly purchased resin or metal model with soap and water!
All the best,
Dan
All the best,
Dan
polyphemus
A Fixture
- Joined
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Hi all
Thanks for the responses. Dan, clean shaven, that's one step too far! I've been cultivating this Father Christmas impression for over 30 years. Seriously though just for my own peace of mind and domestic harmony think i'll just stick to well fitting large scale metal figures. To be honest I think I understand the safety issues with metal figures and oil painting, I hope!
Regards
Geoff
Thanks for the responses. Dan, clean shaven, that's one step too far! I've been cultivating this Father Christmas impression for over 30 years. Seriously though just for my own peace of mind and domestic harmony think i'll just stick to well fitting large scale metal figures. To be honest I think I understand the safety issues with metal figures and oil painting, I hope!
Regards
Geoff
