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Masks

Hi

I'm going round and round in circles...  I need a mask for mixing and applying glyphosate and other nasties and removal of low grade asbestos. Probably and bit of dusty loft boarding in the future too. What do I buy!?

Whats a reasonable grade mask to buy given the limited use it will get? 

Tar 

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Posts

  • I mix glazes, and they are made out of ingredients you dont want to breathe in, powder form. I use the kind you get from DIY shops, white with elastic. 

    I only mix glazes once or twice a year, so they are okay for occasional use. 

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016

    I don't use a mask when spraying weed killer and similar stuff.  Just avoid doing it on a windy day, and stand up wind so any overspray blows away from you.

    For other situations such as the asbestos, I would use the same as Celandonsusan.

  • JOHN504JOHN504 Posts: 10

    This is the problem, either folk are oh it's fine, don't worry about it, or it's like I'm handling ebola...!

    I appreciate what you are saying though 1000s of people use glyphosate everyday and you totally don't need a licence to take down low level asbestos, the council recycling centre even has a bin for it.

    Wouldn't do it without a mask etc though!

  • JOHN504JOHN504 Posts: 10

    I'm not getting into a war on something I know nothing about, but Bromley council for one disagrees... http://www.bromley.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/726/asbestos_guidance_note.pdf

    No idea about anything else... 

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    Are you sure you are talking about asbestos or asbestos cement products?  They are not the same.

  • JOHN504JOHN504 Posts: 10

    Both I think...  I'm only referring to the cement board you find on garages, from what I've read it seems fine to take that down yourself. I appreciate its nothing like the blue (?) industrial stuff. 

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    Exactly!  It does not form a threat.  The danger of anything with 'asbestos' in the name is ramped up by anybody who wants to charge a fortune to remove a material which is unlikely to be a threat to anybody.

    I appreciate asbestos lagging etc is very dangerous stuff;  but I doubt we are talking about that.

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016

    I can understand the concerns people have about asbestos, various chemicals etc, particularly if they have problems stemming from exposure, as seems to be the case with pansyface.

    However, as the link to Bromley council website shows, there is absolutely minimal risk is sensible precautions are taken.  The council wouldn't be providing that guidance if there was a health risk to DIY removal.

    As for glyphosate, there are studies which indicate there are  considerable health risks, and there are studies which contradict that.  Call me cynical, but I suspect vested interests on both sides and a reality somewhere between the two opinions.  Most gardeners only use weedkillers and other chemicals on an occasional basis which reduces the risk further.  Until there is solid evidence of a real health risk I will continue using chemical controls, with or without a facemask.

  • Please please please don't use a paper masks with elastic bands as was indicated earlier for asbestos ! Boards fibres or dust or even if you suspect ... it is extremely dangerous and the fibres as so small your average B&Q paper masks will not protect you !

    Seek specialist advice from your local HSE people 

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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