Protection from silica dust?

[bahamasair]

Hi I have a chassis I need to sandblast but we can only get silica sand here. Ive done a quick google on what protection is needed but only see stuff directed at long term use and they all recommend a positive pressure respirator. I cant afford a respirator. Is there anything else I can use? I was thinking of putting a big fan blowing dust away from me with a good canister gas mask.

 

[Major Ramifications]

if you are a smoker, then breathing in silica dust is much better than what you are used to breathing in, so no mask required.
Assuming you are a non-smoker, read on...
Well, there is nothing like a positive pressure respirator. Mainly because you can put it in the air conditioning and get nice cool, dry air to breathe.
I have done what you are describing with a particle respirator and a sandblasting hood, but you WILL get sand everywhere on and in your body.
I've breathed in plenty of silica dust, and my lung feels great!
Have you checked TP tools for an air supplied hood? They had a nice one years ago.
Most guys would probably advise against it, but I say that as long as you don't plan on making living blasting with sand (I dont' think you will want to) you should be fine with a particle respirator, blasting hood, and blasting gloves. Keep extra filters on hand, because when you are sweating beneath that hood, you breathe pretty heavy.

 

[Steve in Mi]

if you are a smoker, then breathing in silica dust is much better than what you are used to breathing in, so no mask required.

I don't believe the type of damage done to your lungs even equates for these two, smoking and silica dust. The scaring from half micron and smaller silca particles is permanent. Some evential lung clensing is possible for smokers who quit.

bahamasair, The fan will certainly help as will resporators and/or fresh breathing air but if your concern for your health (lungs) is paramont check the yellow pages for a sandblast company you can farm this portion of your project out to.

 

[jimvannoy]

I have sand blasted many frames and other parts. I always wear some sort of mask and a blasting hood. Even with that sand gets everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Behind and in your ears, in your eyes, in your nose, between your legs, etc, etc.

 

[bahamasair]

Ive blasted plenty of stuff but never used silica sand. There is only 1 place that does sand blasting here and they want $550 to do just my frame. This is a vette frame so it is pretty small and would take an industrial blaster under an hour to do. I cant pay the $550 on principal plus I have the sand and a pressure pot blaster so may as well do it myself. Ill do a quick search on a positive pressure regulator and see what I can find. I might just get one of the local crackheads to do it for me
Thanks for the replys guys

 

[timgr]

How about hematite instead of silica? I know you say it's unavailable, but I think it's worthwhile to search further.

 

[gahi]

Positive pressure hood. That's what I use. It requires a breathing grade air filter. But then you dont have to where a respirator under your hood. Silica is bad stuff, its worth buying the right equipment.

 

[bahamasair]

All the positive pressure hoods I see are over $300. Im not going to pay that just for this one job. I doubt Ill ever be using silica again after this so it would be a waste of $$$.

 

[mike944]

I blasted an entire large car frame once, with regular sand, with no respirator, and i think only one of those paper masks, if i even used anything at all. But, then again, i was young and stupid. That was also before the internet, and therefore there was no easy way to learn about potential harmfull effects. I haven't had any problems that i know of in the last 18 years, but i have no idea if that's going to come back to haunt me as i get older. Oh well, there's nothing i can do about it now.

That being said, i would NEVER do it again without some kind of respirator designed for blasting. I guess, what i'm saying is, some people do it improperly, but it's a really bad idea. Save your lungs, you only have 2.

 

[gahi]

All the positive pressure hoods I see are over $300. Im not going to pay that just for this one job. I doubt Ill ever be using silica again after this so it would be a waste of $$$.

You own a pressure pot though? Seems to me like you'll be doing more blasting, especially if you like the way it turns out. The hood and filter will be cheaper than paying someone to do it once. And then you'll be setup, maybe you can make a few bucks doing jobs for others. Regular sand still contains some silica. And the hoods have disposable lenses, and protect you from any abrasive. Plus they are a hard hat too. I wouldnt be without one, but I blast alot.

 

[tubeman]

It might just be cheaper to order different abrasive medium. Lots of places will ship it to you.

 

[StingRay]

Make sure with a pressurized hood that your compressor will supply safe air. Lots of compressors can have CO, oils and metal particles in the compressed air. There are filters available but even they have limitations. Be careful. I use a spray mask with particle filters and wear a non pressure hood over it and then exhaust the breathing air to the out side so the hood doesn't fog up. Also breathing air is taken in under the hood where it's much cleaner to start with.

 

[PoorOwner]

For a one time job, why can't the OP get a P100 respirator.. good enough for asbestoes isn't it? Then why isn't it good enough for silica play sand?

And why can't the OP get something else than silica? Look in yellowpage for sandblasting places and ask them where they their medias, I am pretty sure the pros don't use silica due to this problem.

 

[bahamasair]

I cant get anything else because I live on an island. To ship a 100lb of something else is retarded expensive. Silica sand is cheap. Im going to get one of the local crack heads to do it. Thanks for the replies