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Do you guys typically wear breathing equipment when you are exploring a place that most likely has mold or abestos?
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I wear them for sure when in underground tunnels, basements etc. Above ground in a well ventilated location I won't. I am 25 and not dead yet...however if you want a respirator get a p100 respirator they are rated for asbestos, mold etc.
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Seeing as most estimates say the average latency period for mesothelioma (asbestosis) patients is approximately 40 years, and I am 46, I am no longer concerned. However for comfort purposes to avoid smelling stank rot and hobo duke, I will wear a simple dust mask if need be.
Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature.
Lifetime member of The Anti-MyInstaTubeTweetFace consortium. | |
I've explored without one, but like Mr. Bitsy says, I mainly started wearing a cheap dust mask (the thicker, slightly less cheap but one step above what they sell at Walmart version) to avoid the miasma of stink...it's almost like wearing a carpet to stop a .50 caliber round, but it did offer some protection and with it I tended to be less headachey after a moldy explore.
A couple weeks ago I got a $40 3M respirator (rated p100), mostly to avoid inhaling mold, dust, ect., that might make me immediately sick. If it's a rather open area, I'll leave it off though.
I'm 41 and have smoked for 20 years, so the idea of dying from asbestosis in another 40-60 years doesn't cross my eyes too bad, but in general I'd recommend wearing one, even a cheaper one, than doing nothing at all.
Probably won't work in every situation, but having one might add points towards looking more innocuous; you're clearly just a safety conscious explorer (hobbyist) rather than some idiot vandal...
"When you've truly done something right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all." | |
Rule #1 DO NOT STIR UP DUST!
Avoid heavy contaminated sites especially if windy and dry.
Remember your clothes and equipment will contaminated too... a respirator alone is not enough.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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100% Yes. Buy a good respirator with replaceable filters and you will never regret it. Better to have it than go without it. It's not worth the shitty feeling you get after being exposed to nasties, or wheezing and coughing from dust/any kind of fine particulates. I used to grind metal without a respirator in my garage when I was younger and stupid, It got me nothing but a weekend of coughing up black gunk and wheezy feeling. Now I use mine all the time, for the sake of well being and comfort. Some filters even kill the gross smell. Personally, I like to see it as a required tool you need to access some areas.
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Posted by ninjaturdius
100% Yes. Buy a good respirator with replaceable filters and you will never regret it. Better to have it than go without it. It's not worth the shitty feeling you get after being exposed to nasties, or wheezing and coughing from dust/any kind of fine particulates. I used to grind metal without a respirator in my garage when I was younger and stupid, It got me nothing but a weekend of coughing up black gunk and wheezy feeling. Now I use mine all the time, for the sake of well being and comfort. Some filters even kill the gross smell. Personally, I like to see it as a required tool you need to access some areas.
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This has discussed at length in other threads.
However wearing a good, custom fitted* respirator is not fun, comfortable and sometimes not safe because they limit you downward vision. Your most dangerous threats are immediate not long term. You get one shot to spot hellholes.
Try shooting with respiratory using the viewfinder
You use a considerable about of energy to overcome to filter resistance in a fine particulate filter(s).
A paper mask offers some protection from biohazards like hantavirus but that's as far as I go and even then... don't stir up dust!!!
Without special training you aren't qualified or ready to enter highly contaminated areas... and also may not know all of what you are dealing with.
Some chemicals are contact hazards.
The one thing you should protect at all times are your eyes...
*without an airtight fit it is jewelry. Many different face shapes and sizes; other than paper masks, one size doesn't fit all!
[last edit 3/19/2019 12:45 AM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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There's an old basketball arena in my city that they're gonna implode but they're doing asbestos removal right now. I didn't know what their progress was on it or how bad it would be so I checked it out. I brought some p95 respirators that I found because that's better than nothing. We got to one of the rooms where they would suit up and go in and the air was so bad that we left almost immediately. My hands reeked after that and we found the closet sink we could.
My point is, I don't normally bring any sort of respirator so if I don't feel that I should be there without any protection, then I won't. So far everything I've done has been fine with the exception of some basement entrances.
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Posted by blackhawk
This has discussed at length in other threads.
However wearing a good, custom fitted* respirator is not fun, comfortable and sometimes not safe because they limit you downward vision.
...
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They do come with some downsides like you mentioned, definitely not comfortable. I didn't quite mean that I wear it ALL the time, more like I find myself needing it in more and more places I visit. The biggest disadvantage for me is like you said the increase in breathing difficulty. I had to climb into a hole in the ceiling while wearing it once to avoid fiberglass floaties. It left me much more winded after an obstacle like that than I should have been, but I was glad to have been getting clean breaths of air. Christ, I haven't come across any serious chemical hazards yet. Hopefully don't, but if my eyes ever start burning I will bolt my ass out for sure! My respirator has a real good silicone seal that fits me well. I actually got it because I didn't like the fit with paper masks, it comes down to preference I suppose. I find a whole lot of value in mine since I use it outside exploring a lot with various projects.
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Posted by blackhawk
Rule #1 DO NOT STIR UP DUST!
Avoid heavy contaminated sites especially if windy and dry.
Remember your clothes and equipment will contaminated too... a respirator alone is not enough.
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this is also good advice for not just asbestos... caustics crystalize and dust... you do not want that shit in your eyes, mouth or lungs. trust me on that one.
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Posted by Cfourexplore
I've explored without one, but like Mr. Bitsy says, I mainly started wearing a cheap dust mask (the thicker, slightly less cheap but one step above what they sell at Walmart version) to avoid the miasma of stink...it's almost like wearing a carpet to stop a .50 caliber round, but it did offer some protection and with it I tended to be less headachey after a moldy explore.
A couple weeks ago I got a $40 3M respirator (rated p100), mostly to avoid inhaling mold, dust, ect., that might make me immediately sick. If it's a rather open area, I'll leave it off though.
I'm 41 and have smoked for 20 years, so the idea of dying from asbestosis in another 40-60 years doesn't cross my eyes too bad, but in general I'd recommend wearing one, even a cheaper one, than doing nothing at all.
Probably won't work in every situation, but having one might add points towards looking more innocuous; you're clearly just a safety conscious explorer (hobbyist) rather than some idiot vandal...
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Dang, I just noticed autocorrect caused me to misspell Mr. Bitey's name...sorry about that! Guess I need to do a better job at proofreading 😕.
"When you've truly done something right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all." | |
Posted by Cfourexplore
Dang, I just noticed autocorrect caused me to misspell Mr. Bitey's name...sorry about that! Guess I need to do a better job at proofreading 😕.
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lol. No worries - Mr. Bitsy has a certain ring to it!
Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature.
Lifetime member of The Anti-MyInstaTubeTweetFace consortium. | |
Posted by blackhawk
Rule #1 DO NOT STIR UP DUST!
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shit, well there goes my plans for a cave mosh pit.
[last edit 3/20/2019 6:35 PM by The Dead Hooker In Your Trunk - edited 1 times]
The homeless are friends not food. | |
Posted by blackhawk
This has discussed at length in other threads.
However wearing a good, custom fitted* respirator is not fun, comfortable and sometimes not safe because they limit you downward vision. Your most dangerous threats are immediate not long term. You get one shot to spot hellholes.
Try shooting with respiratory using the viewfinder
You use a considerable about of energy to overcome to filter resistance in a fine particulate filter(s).
A paper mask offers some protection from biohazards like hantavirus but that's as far as I go and even then... don't stir up dust!!!
Without special training you aren't qualified or ready to enter highly contaminated areas... and also may not know all of what you are dealing with.
Some chemicals are contact hazards.
The one thing you should protect at all times are your eyes...
*without an airtight fit it is jewelry. Many different face shapes and sizes; other than paper masks, one size doesn't fit all!
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TLDR: This. TLDR for below: Unless you know what you're doing, a respirator is pretty useless at best, and bad at worst. Don't stir up dust. Contaminated environments aren't fun and if you aren't careful about it, it's a good way to get fucked up for life.
Edit: if it's somewhere that I'll need to deal with the below, I skip it 99% of the time. Lot of effort for (IMO) minimal reward.
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Sure, you can buy a respirator and filters at a hardware store or online, but there is a reason why a proper fit test is required for work/hazmat use. Without a proper seal, either it's useless or you can potentially trap contaminants in the mask, increasing inhalation risk. Let alone donning or removing said mask without introducing contaminants, proper methods of cleaning it, what filters to use when, etc, etc, etc.
I've worn them for a living, and trust me it fucking sucks. Especially if you're having to go in full tyvek or dealing with negative pressure rooms and airlocks.
You could drop a couple hundred (bare minimum) and get a PAPR setup, but then you're adding air lines, battery packs, flow testing, etc to it. Let alone regular maintenance.
But okay, you've got your air supply handled for some magical reason. What about particulates you've picked on your clothes and gear, embedded in your shoes, etc? What's the proper decon so you're not dragging all that crap home with you?
[last edit 3/23/2019 12:08 AM by DarkAngel - edited 1 times]
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I have a $15 respirator from harbor freight that works great when I decide to use it. I also keep basic dust masks in my camera/exploring bag for anybody that might be with me. It's hard to constantly keep it on but I've been trying lately because something is better than nothing and it's better to be safe than sorry. I also have asthma though so exploring can be hard in untouched areas in the summer so it just depends.
They say I gotta respect the system, but there ain't no respect in that system for me.
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Posted by bmull463
I have a $15 respirator from harbor freight that works great when I decide to use it. I also keep basic dust masks in my camera/exploring bag for anybody that might be with me. It's hard to constantly keep it on but I've been trying lately because something is better than nothing and it's better to be safe than sorry. I also have asthma though so exploring can be hard in untouched areas in the summer so it just depends.
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Respirators restrict air inflow and could trigger an asthma attack. They substantially increase your breathing work load especially during physical exertion. If memory serves me correctly asthma is a red flag for respirator use...
Avoid high dust areas.
Even with a respirator you will drag it home on your cloths and gear.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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Posted by blackhawk
Respirators restrict air inflow and could trigger an asthma attack. They substantially increase your breathing work load especially during physical exertion. If memory serves me correctly asthma is a red flag for respirator use...
Avoid high dust areas.
Even with a respirator you will drag it home on your cloths and gear.
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I used to have to wear a Scott o-vista gas mask at my job... it's a fucking nightmare to breathe through when you're exerting yourself. (trust me on this- there are a ton of stairs in the modern paper mill) The o-vista mask also had the ability to be used with an SCBA.
meat of my thing is that you kind of have to know what you're facing when you buy filters for these things. Our filters were for H2S and ClO2, but didn't guard against other shit.
I've been giving these topics a lot of thought as of late, since I have nothing better to do and a few questions have come up (in light of my experience working in serious industry for the better part of two decades)… if you're going into a location so serious nasty you need breathing apparatus, are you going to drag that shit back to the car? how much of that shit will be on your clothes on the trek back? On your shoes to be tracked back to the car and subsequently your home, family and pets? I mean, it's all well and good to boldly go where no one really wants to go, get those awesome photos, but at what cost?
when I worked in that paper mill, I had to leave my work boots either at work (or doing snowy times), leave the at the door. After some shifts, I would get so covered in chemical crap, I had to put garbage bags on the floor and seats of my car and take my clothes off on the porch (the neighbors loved that). I guess what I am getting at is just know what you're getting into and don't guess.
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Posted by bmull463
I have a $15 respirator from harbor freight that works great when I decide to use it. I also keep basic dust masks in my camera/exploring bag for anybody that might be with me. It's hard to constantly keep it on but I've been trying lately because something is better than nothing and it's better to be safe than sorry. I also have asthma though so exploring can be hard in untouched areas in the summer so it just depends.
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we used 3M dust masks at the recausting plant I worked at for over 5 years... the shit in the air was so nasty, the rubber straps that held the mask on your face lasted about ten minutes and then snapped. 
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I forever keep mine around the collar but control the air mixture as needed. The ports can be closed if I need to reclaim exhaled water vapor or to run the pack scrubber. It's a hybrid system sure, but it was mostly salvaged so it didn't cost any reloads.
 Breather
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I don't, and I've paid for it after the fact. It's one of those things that I know I should do, but is just not comfortable or convenient - like wearing ear plugs at concerts. ::shrug::
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