Alrighty... I STARTED to fiberglass the inside of the avionics bay today. I got the first piece of fiberglass in... and then I started to get a massive headache (that still won't go away). So, I won't continue this until I get a respirator (a few days from now).
Just because a product does not require hazmat shipment, it doesn't mean its safe. Before you use an industrial chemical, you should be aware of what the hazards are. If you received an MSDS with your order please read it. If you didn't get one, or lost it, contact US Composites and request one, and they are legally required to supply it free of charge upon request. (A good company has downloads on their website.)
Using a respirator is not something to be taken lightly. They can injure or even kill you if you have certain medical issues, if they do not fit properly, do not have the proper cartridges, or are used in an environment where the chemical can also enter your body through your eyes or skin.
When you work in a legitimate company and your job requires the use of a respirator, your employer is mandated by OSHA to have you medically screened by a doctor to insure that you are physically fit to use a respirator, and if you pass the medical, provide you with the proper type of respirator with the proper type of cartridges, provide you with the proper training to use the respirator, and to make sure you have a respirator professional conduct a fit check of the supplied respirator on you.
Because you are not in a Level A "moon suit", you are still being exposed to the chemicals through your eyes and skin, so just because you can't smell anything do not assume you are safe. Your work area needs to be ventilated and your eyes, and skin need to be protected. Although I could not fine the MSDS on-line, I noticed the 3:1 and 4:1 hardeners are amines which are nasty chemical which can enter through multiple portals so you have to be careful.
Lastly, if you need a respirator, you shouldn't be using this epoxy inside your house unless the area is isolated from the rest of your folks and directly vented outdoors. Just because you have the proper PPE, does not mean everyone else in the house is ok.
He's using US composites but it still isn't great. Jes going to get a respirator and continue. Moral to the story don't skimp on safety equipment and always wear a respirator and gloves!!
Read the above before you continue.
You must have breathed in a good amount to get a headache. It happened to me once, where I forgot to open the window and/or turn on the ceiling fan. Make sure you go outside for awhile and breathe in the fresh air. It helps rid the smell from your head.
The smell is not in your head, bad chemicals are. Just because the smell goes away, the chemicals you inhaled did not. Additionally some chemicals saturate your sense of smell and you no longer notice them. That's really bad because you are getting a big bad dose and you don't realize it.
The only known way to "get rid of the smell" is to avoid generating it in the beginning.
1.) The best way to eliminate the smell is to use a different epoxy system that doesn't generate "smelly vapors".
2.) It that can't be avoided, then you need proper ventilation so you don't smell and breathe the vapors. W
3.) Wearing a respirator is the last resort. Unlike using safety glasses and nitrile gloves which are always necessary precautions with epoxies, needing a respirator in a non-industrial environment means you haven't done 1.) and 2.) first.
Be safe first so you can enjoy life and your hobby.
Bob
