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Group…this was Tom's helpful response to my question on
his epoxy allergy comment the other day. I hope he won't mind me sharing….I
just don't think he hit "reply all".
Gordon
From: Tom & Beth
Sullivan [mailto:toms1@chartermi.net]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 9:27 AM
To: Gordon Porter
Subject: Re: IVP Door Installation
I reacted
after I had about 600 hours into the project, obviously not all wet work
either. I am only allergic to the uncured epoxy. I called Jeffco,
after pulling my hair out wondering how I was going to finish the
project. My eyes go into a fierce itch, and I itch all over my
body. I tried milk thistle, bio treatments at the chiropractor, just
about everything. Jeffco says it happens to about 5% of the people
exposed to the wet epoxy, and usually after some period of exposure. They
said it's completely respiratory, so a charcoal full face
respirator is sufficient to protect yourself (I started out after the
reaction with a full Tyvec suit, taped at all openings). Your A&P is
correct, the reaction is sudden and severe, unless you are knowledgeable about
the early symptoms. I can work without protection for a while when I've
been away from the project for a long time. The first symptoms are a bit
of a crawly, itchy feeling on your skin and the eyes seem a bit
itchy. I'm taking precautions now, because the longer I can go before
reaching my threshold, the better. There are some times it's really
impractical to wear a full respirator (working in small tight places, or for
very small layups).
-----
Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February
16, 2011 6:38 AM
Subject: RE: IVP Door
Installation
Tom, have you always been allergic to the epoxy, or did it
suddenly come on during your project?
The A&P down the hangar line from me keeps asking me if I
have reacted to the epoxy yet. Apparently the story is that the toxicity
builds up in your system, then all of a sudden it hits you. I think he
was talking about the epoxy, although it may have been fiberglass in general?
I am pretty religious about using nitrile gloves for epoxy work,
a good 3M respirator for body work and cutting/grinding fiberglass, and
mechanics gloves for almost all work in the shop.
Gordon Porter
ES
From: Tom & Beth
Sullivan [mailto:toms1@chartermi.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 2:27 PM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: IVP Door Installation
Thanks
for all the great responses and ideas. I usually have several areas of
the project I am working on at any given time. I am allergic to the
epoxy and have to mask up for ALL wet work. A real PITA! I have the
wings and winglets in a separate room from the fuselage so I can perform final
bodywork on them whenever I have to vacate the main workshop due to wet work
curing. I also plan all wet work for the end of my work sessions, so
having several areas to work on keeps my time productive when held
up by my primary area ready for wet work. The reason I'm
mentioning this, is I will periodically ask questions about other areas of the
build, but I'm not just sporadically jumping around. (About to start A/C
install while working on the windows and door).
Thanks again for the
help.
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