BTW, it's not the charcoal canisters you need for balsa (though they won't hurt), its the HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter you want. They usually double stack a chem absorber and the dust cartridge. Make sure the seal is pretty good by putting your hands over the ends to block the air and see if you can pull a reasonable vacuum inside. Tighten, adjust or replace if you can't get a good fit. Not all masks fit all people and they come in different sizes. Mine leaks a bit by my nose, so I have to adjust it a little lower than what the natural wear position would be (maybe it would be easier to get the nose adjusted - nah).
Dust off in the workshop if you can. The dust settles pretty quick when using coarse paper, but don't be afraid to leave the mask on until the outer layer of clothing is off. Oh and vacuum the shop before starting the covering (I hated adding that part).
Hopefully the eye exposure doesn't cause any problems.
I don't know if this is as inevitable as the epoxy allergy, but others may still want to learn from it.
Tom Koszuta Western New York Sailplane and Electric Flyers Buffalo, NY
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ben Diss" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ed Berris" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <soaring@airage.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: [RCSE] trouble with balsa dust
Well Ed, you're screwed. I've got the same thing. Happened a few years ago. Best I can suggest it to get a charcoal respirator and avoid Balsa. The respirator works good so long as you wear it. Trouble is, when you're done the dust is all over your closes and everything in your shop. Take it off and breathe in the dust and hope your Kleenex box is full.
I got one of those big Jet filters hanging from my shop ceiling and that helps control the dust, but some is still left on everything else in the shop. I've got good at attaching a vacuum to my power tools and that works well even with out the respirator. For ol' fashioned sanding with a block however there is no magic bullet.
-Ben
Ed Berris wrote:I realize this is not a medical forum, however, I suspect that others of youRCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
have had some experience with reactions to balsa dust.
I seem to have developed quite a sensitivity to balsa dust. With just a
small exposure it triggers asthma like symptoms including a nagging cough,
wheezing, a tightness in my chest and sometime dizziness or severe cold like
symptoms.
I wonder if others have had a similar experience and what they are doing so
that they can continue working with balsa without becoming ill.
I know that a good quality dust mask will be a must. I have seldom worn on
in the past but I can see that I will need to now.
Miserable in Minnesota, Ed
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