Asthmatic would-be chemist

Discussion in 'Chemistry' started by Lilalena, May 29, 2011.

  1. Lilalena Registered Senior Member

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    My niece wants to become a chemist or materials scientist but she's got asthma (the family curse). It's mild asthma but still...

    I imagine it would be impossible for her to survive in such an environment. But before I become the person who destroyed all her dreams - I'd appreciate some advice from the chemists around here.

    thanks
     
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  3. siphra Registered Senior Member

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    She shouldn't have much of a problem, many fume causing reactions are handled under hoods. It really shouldn't play much of part. In college she may want to request that labs that don't require the hood still be done in it for her personal work. The TA/LA and Professors probably wont have much of an issue with it.

    It's not like we go around sniffing the stuff. (Often.)
     
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  5. chimpkin C'mon, get happy! Registered Senior Member

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  7. Trippy ALEA IACTA EST Staff Member

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    Yeah, in all honesty, Asthma is not something that you should let stopping your niece from becoming a chemist - I have very mild asthma as well, didn't stop me.

    The only time it caused me even remotely any problems was a highschool experiment involving sulfurdioxide as a bleach in a temporary makeshift classroom (my school was having a new science block built at that stage).

    If she is concerned, or becomes concerned thatan experiment may cause her problems, then she should have her blue inhaler with her, and just have a quiet chat with her supervisor.
     
  8. Lilalena Registered Senior Member

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    Very helpful thanks! It is a good thing I held off saying anything to my niece.
     
  9. chimpkin C'mon, get happy! Registered Senior Member

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    It seems to have stopped showing my painter's respirator.

    Those things are awesome.

    During really bad allergy seasons, or on days when ground-level ozone's high, I've worn mine in public. We have really bad air here.

    People do react so strangely to this...it becomes not only an allergy/asthma solution, but a bit of impromptu theater...me bopping around in my gas mask gets the strangest responses.
     
  10. siphra Registered Senior Member

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    Chimpkin what model respirator do you use? (and Mfg?)
     
  11. Anti-Flag Pun intended Registered Senior Member

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    I had asthma too and have never had any problems in labs so she should be fine. Just keep her inhaler handy. It can actually clear up as you get older anyway.

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

     
  12. chimpkin C'mon, get happy! Registered Senior Member

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    Oh gosh! you would ask!

    Ive gotten better and gotten under better control, so haven't had to whip it out lately...

    And I'm not at home, so I can't go get one of them (I ended up with a spare) and see what brand it is.

    That's unfortunate: I know one fit better than the other.

    Both of them are hardish to breathe in though, and kinda miserable once it gets over 95 degrees here.

    But both were from local Big Box stores...so both consumer-grade. I'm wanting to say one was made by M3?

    I just would not buy one with a single filter-can, there needs to be two cans, and you'd probably want to look for maximum exterior intake surface on said cans.

    The issue being that you really have to inhale strongly to draw air through the cans, so the wider they are, I imagine the easier it will be to inhale through them.

    Oh, make sure the masks have charcoal filtration, that's what absorbs and neutralizes the chemicals. And the softer the plastic moulding is around the face, the less sore you're going to get from protracted wearing. Harder plastic will wear actual sores eventually if you leave it on all day.

    And further: when you take off said mask, it its vital that you clean it thoroughly then let it dry really well. You do NOT want to be breathing in from a mask full of mildew or bacteria.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2011
  13. Lilalena Registered Senior Member

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    I thought you were joking about posting the mask.

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    But your stating that they are quite uncomfortable and a bit high maintenance disappointed me a bit because I have a personal question re asthma myself.

    I've been thinking of installing air conditioning in my 'studio' (just a small room where I paint...) But wonder now how I won't end up dead from the 'odourless' paint fumes. Thought your mask could be a solution but you mention its hard to breathe through it.

    I only use odourless paint solvents but even without the smell my nose feels numb after a few hours.

    I'm installing a fan in the window but I guess my real question is - would that result in my airconditioner working twice as hard - possibly doubling my electricity bill?
     
  14. Lilalena Registered Senior Member

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    266
    But I'd expect that. Wouldn't you be more worried if people didn't? I would.
     
  15. siphra Registered Senior Member

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    If the respirator gets in your way, and even if it doesn't you should probably include an exhaust fan. It will make your breathing better either way, and prevent any build up. (plus if it's a good one, it can help remove dust... but that's just a bonus.) You may also if possible want to keep the exposed paint closer to such an exhaust fan. It will take time to diffuse into the room, and if its near pressure less will get into the air of the room. (This may not be possible, or desireable as air circulating over paint may cause it to dry when/where you don't want to.)

    Edit: Exhaust fan as opposed to an AC. The AC will circulate and chill air, but not remove the actual fumes as effectively.
     
  16. chimpkin C'mon, get happy! Registered Senior Member

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    Yeah, I paint in acrylics (when I paint!) and that's one of the reasons.

    If I start painting in oils or enamels, I'll be doing it outside, on the porch.
    Maybe you could rig up a canopy on rainy days, lila. Tarps are cheap.

    Siphra's right-use an exhaust fan in the window...maybe two-one aimed in one window, the other out, on opposite sides of the room, and preferably coinciding with the outside breeze direction.

    Allergies are protein reacions; that having been said, petroleum distillates and turpentine are very firmly not my friends...high enough concentrations of same in my airspace and my lungs can be painful and swollen for days. And an A/C does nada to dissipate said fumes.

    Can't spray for bugs either, really.

    When I say uncomfortable to wear, I only mean mildly...and you've got to remember...we get bad ozone days when it's hot.

    I mean really hot.

    For instance, I haven't checked, but it feels like about 96 degrees fahrenheit today, or 35 degrees celsius, and maybe 60% humidity...which is drought for here, it's usually more like 80% humidity.

    As far as being weird...I think it's weird that nobody notices the dirty yellow ring around the sky here that makes me put the mask on...like a very dirty bathtub.

    You can see it from a plane, or a freeway overpass on the edge of town... it looks like dark yellow urine in the air.
     

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