I started resin printing and I am wondering if you guys use a full on resperator (if so is their a specific classification you’d recommend?) Or do you just use a cloth / surgical mask?
So far I have been using the mask that came with my printer (Elegoo mars 3 pro) but and not sure if that is sufficient.
Supplied air system is fantastic if you can’t ventilate. I got a 2 man hobbyair setup on ebay for $200 mostly for isocyanates with painting cars. Might not be the best choice for you but figured I’d throw it out there
Ventilation is key. If you can exhaust the fumes to a window with a fan that would be ideal, and a respirator should be a secondary option. Though if you must, you need something with OV on it for organic vapours.
I use a 3M 6200 half mask and 60923 cartridges. They’re good for organic vapor, some acids, and P100 (99.7% particulate blockage including oily particulates )I keep it on a hook near the door and use it for painting and epoxy work in closed areas. Cheap and effective, iirc the cartridges only need changing every 100-200 hours of use.
Unfortunately odor level != poison/voc levels. Even though I am not following my own advice and don't use full on respirators while resin printing, it's still wise to use it at all times not depending on the train type.
Ecoresins definitely have much lower VOCs than most resins, so they are safer. And odor does strongly correlate with VOC level since there are very few VOCs that are odorless.
On a separate tangent for me, working in a chemistry lab I breathe in way worse shit, so I don’t care about some resin, the long term damage is extremely minor.
Good ventilation is key. Afterwards, if you’re still getting a strong odor find a comfortable respirator (ones with expiratory valves will be best for comfort). The apparatus itself doesn’t matter much. As long as it gets a good seal on your face. That usually means you’ll have to go without facial hair if you have any, otherwise it could cause leaks. It’s the cartridges that will be doing the work. I’d recommend a 3M P100 filter of some sort for best quality. 3M being the brand, P100 being the percentage of air that is filtered. If you have facial hair and want to keep it, a PAPR apparatus would be best. Source: EMT, we’re trained and fitted every year for N95s, respirators and PAPR.
Edit: as others have said you’re probably better off just not being in the room while the printer is running. Getting respirators and filters can get pretty pricey
If you’re smelling a strong odor then a respirator would be advised. You need one with an organic vapor cartridge. Surgical mask is doing nothing for you in this situation. Probably easier just to get some good ventilation going though. Or minimize you time around the printer.
You could also just let the print finish. Then open the door before you go out there to gather it. giving it a few minutes to vent. I have minimal experience with resin printing so I don’t know how the sunlight would affect it. Putting the printer behind something to block the light seems reasonable as well.
Good luck. You can find these respirators on Amazon. 3m is a common brand.
In addition to other suggestions, you could also set up a barrier (cardboard box) that would shade your printer from direct sunlight when the door is open.
You also don’t need the door open fully. Just open a few inches and turn on a box fan.
That’s exactly what I was doing when I used mine. Used the cardboard box the printer came in, and cracked the garage door with a fan pointed at the printer towards the door
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