Re: Re: need help with pesticide residue - When to use a mask

[Guest guest]

Diane,

You make a good point, but I consider it incorrect for the one person I was

replying.

I was not making a general write up that could be used by other parties.

My reply was for that one person. Details below.

I advise anyone wanting to reply to a specific paragraph to delay, and

read the entire post, as I likely have already covered any clarification

you might type. It's a complex subject. By all means, after reading

everything, making additions that would be useful, in the general case,

for the original poster.

I've found some list members get off topic, off target, in their replies.

Diane did not do this, but was dead on target, with a good point.

However, masks are not solve alls. And can in some cases hurt the person more,

even kill them, if used improperly, or in the wrong conditions.

At 11:15 AM 9/10/2009, dianebolton52 wrote:

>Why do you say " a mask might help, a little? " If you are washing away

pesticides I would think a mask would be absolutely necessary.

Depends on the type of mask. Mask does not help, unless it has special filter

material

for the particular residue molecules involved. Even a N95 respirator would not

help,

as that only filters particulars, not fumes, like residues. So, get a

respirator with

VOC filters, then it might help. Might. Not all residues are filtered by the

generic VOC

filter. There are actually 3 types of fume filters, and about 15 more very

specialized ones.

>You have to realize that you are dealing with people with MCS on this

forum. D

It's a complex subject. If the person had " budget " , then they not would be

restricted

to staying there for another 10 months. So, a $60 half face respirator with

VOC filters, and enough replacements (every 45 minutes or so), to clean the

entire home, running up the cost to well over $200 if not to 400 dollars, for

what is likely to be about zero benefit, ...., compared to wearing gloves

to prevent direct skin contact, which most certainly would severely

aggravate the condition....

So, I advised wearing gloves. And not the correct " mask " , as a doctor's mask

for germs is not going to help.

By all means, wear any mask you care too. Just be aware that not all masks

are equal.

Keep in mind the person is already living in the rooms, already exposed, full

bore,

and moving the residue to the wet wash rag is not going to put more residue

in the air to inhale, but likely less. That's why to wash, and not rub with dry

towel.

And why gloves are more important.

You ought to include the detail of not having the MCS'er doing the work

themselves.

As, for misreading a post with specifics just for that one person, and then

expecting

all the other readers to have their needs fulfilled by me as well... I do not

have

the typing time.

As it's most likely not residue, I am in private thread with the person now,

again means I should type less about washing, and more about finding

out what the real problem.

If other people on this over generalize, or do not understand the very specific

nature of the originator's request, well, again, that is not my burden to carry.

Most all readers recognize there is a YMMV to every post.

And that every post does not full details.