Breathing Styrene

[Speedfreak]

As I've been prepping parts for a build the last few weeks, while sanding/filing I've been thinking that I've got to be breathing in some styrene and this can't be good. So I've been thinking of wearing a mask. Am I over-reacting? Or is my concern valid?

[Eshaver]

Gene , if you suffer from asthma , Emphazemiea or other related C O P D, I recommend wearing protection. I have a case of onset Emphazemiea myself , not from cigarettes, it's a result of being in the Graphic arts business and then the Body and Fender repair business. . I was diagnosed years ago with Lead dust in my lungs . The Bondo simply added to that fact . I work usually on the back porch when using Plastic Auto Body filler now .

[pharoah]

Good question. If it makes you uncomfortable,do what Ed said and wear a mask. Burning styrene emits cyanide,so watch out for that. I wear a mask when I'm flocking interior parts or painting anything very big.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Don't take stupid chances with irreplaceable parts like LUNGS. Wear a particulate (dust) mask whenever you sand anything or work with a dusty product that could be inhaled. Use common sense. Use a respirator with dust pre-filters and organic-vapor cartridges when you paint.

Also, don't over-react. If you're just sanding something small, outside, and the wind is blowing it away from you, don't bother...obviously. Common sense is the key. If you're sanding a lot and the dust is in a cloud in front of you, then wear a mask.

And use some kind of eye protection if you're using any kind of power tool like a Dremel.

[Dr. Cranky]

My advice is to protect yourself. When in doubt, wear a mask. And make it a good mask, not one of those cheapy painters mouth and nose covers.

[Speedfreak]

Thanks you guys, sounds good to me. I'll be getting some new masks tonight or tomorrow. 'cause I can't stop building!

[slusher]

Never chance it always protect yourself...

[Harry P.]

I won't say not to protect yourself, but when you think about all the chemicals we breathe in or eat on a daily basis, day in and day out, every single day, I mean, if you could see the list of all the chemicals we ingest every day in the normal course of day-to-day existence, well... I'm just saying.

But even so, it's better to be overly cautious than not cautious enough, I suppose.

[High octane]

I wasn't breathing styrene today, but lacquer and I forgot to wear my respirator for the first coat. Ooops, I did wear it for the final (wet) coat, Usually I do three color coats, but today I got by with just two and I'm a firm believer of only using as little paint ad I can get away with.

[Art Anderson]

I won't say not to protect yourself, but when you think about all the chemicals we breathe in or eat on a daily basis, day in and day out, every single day, I mean, if you could see the list of all the chemicals we ingest every day in the normal course of day-to-day existence, well... I'm just saying.

But even so, it's better to be overly cautious than not cautious enough, I suppose.

FWIW, I've never seen anything in an MSDS on styrene plastic pointing to any sort of chemical fumes coming from it, except when heated to teh point of giving off an odor, or smoke. And certainly, the fumes from BURNING styrene can be extremely hazardous. But at ordinary room temperature? I'm not the least bit worried.

As for sanding the stuff--if one does that wet (wet sanding), simply by definition, there will be no dust coming up off the work--especially if one washes away the sanding residues.

Art

[JM485]

I honestly can't imagine there would be any health risk unless you are using a motor tool or something. I would always air on the side of caution, but not to the point of paranoia.

[Speedfreak]

I have lung problems anyway so coating my lungs with fine styrene particles is probably not a good idea, I got a mask today! I know it's probably not alot but even a little for me is not good. Thanks for all the posts! Keep building!

Edited October 3, 2013 by Speedfreak