Hello, I wanted to know what (if any) safety precautions everyone takes when casting brass. My main concern was to avoid inhalation of zinc oxide fumes from brass. I've read many safety post and sites regarding home metal casting and haven't seen any mention of anyone wearing a respirator for brass casting. Some sites warned to be careful of the fumes but listed no preventive measures. I assume a respirator would be needed for protection. I just don't know which one. 3M offers many. I was hoping I could find a reusable respirator that would fit under a face shield. Full face respirators are terribly expensive.
Below is a snip-it from MSDS on protection from Zinc Oxide. I don't know the exposure amount from casting. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
Zinc oxide:
-OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
fume: 5 mg/m3 (TWA)
respirable fraction: 5 mg/m3 (TWA)
total dusts: 15 mg/m3 (TWA)
-ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
2 mg/m3 (TWA), 10 mg/m3 (STEL), Respirable fraction
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded, a half-face dust/mist respirator may be worn for up to ten times the exposure limit or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece dust/mist respirator may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency, or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Below is a snip-it from MSDS on protection from Zinc Oxide. I don't know the exposure amount from casting. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
Zinc oxide:
-OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
fume: 5 mg/m3 (TWA)
respirable fraction: 5 mg/m3 (TWA)
total dusts: 15 mg/m3 (TWA)
-ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
2 mg/m3 (TWA), 10 mg/m3 (STEL), Respirable fraction
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded, a half-face dust/mist respirator may be worn for up to ten times the exposure limit or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece dust/mist respirator may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency, or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.