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Respirators and dangerous rocks.......

Stone Conversations : Archive 11 : Message 00538

From: Jim Cosgrove <ve3jji@zzzzzzzzzzzz>
Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2006 10:14:16 -0600
Subject: Respirators and dangerous rocks.......

The 'best' respirator is one that blocks all dust from entering your lungs.

All soapstone does not contain asbestos, it's just that some do as is
the case with some other stone as well.
The respirator I use for carving (soapstone. alabaster and serpentine)
is a high quality face mask with two replaceable, screw on, filter
packs. Its made from a rubber and fits air tight around my mouth and nose.
The filter packs come in many grades, depending on what your working
with, be it dust, mist or gases. Be aware that soapstone dust (talc) is
fine enough to float in the air so your filter needs to block particles
as small as 1 micron. Your best bet is to visit a safety supply company
and select the proper mask and filters to match your work.
The cheap paper dust masks may be fine for very light carving but using
power tools requires a proper mask.

Remember, you can change the filters when they clog up, not so with your
lungs.

Jim Cosgrove

Jim's Soapstone Carvings and Sculptures
http://www3.sympatico.ca/ve3jji

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