There was an interesting thread at starshipmodeler.com (I know a lot of you also frequent that board) that I thought was very interesting.

http://www.starshipmodeler.net/cgi-bin/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25801

It had to do with the health reprecussions of working with resin models. I've been pretty lazy with working with resin... particularly dry-sanding. One poster suggests that it could be akin to working with asbestos. But no one has done proper health research in to the matter. From now on, I will wet sand and use a respirator. Am I being too conservative?

NO The harmful effects are no joke - I sand under water.

Yeah, I got a major headache and the next morning i went to the ER, because I was throwing up blood. I wanted to keep in quiet here, but still guys be aware this stuff is horrible for your health. I still am very vulnerable to resin and havent fully recovered from the symptoms. I still havent gotten a mask, but I will make sure I will before I do anymore resin.

I have been building resin kits for a few years and i always sand my parts with a 2 stage respirator the 1st stage is a charcoal filter canister that takes care of any fumes (Some resin really stinks) the 2nd stage is a fine cotton like filter for the dust seems to work great costs about 25 dollars (Harrison buy the mask). Latley i also use a hand held vaccume to clean the area i have been workimg in and a wet paper towel is a good idea.

O, crap! No wonder I was feeling dizy and getting itch eyes whenever I dry- sanded resin stuff. Plus, I've been using drill to sand metal accessories without a mask for a while. Man, I hope that my lung is not all messed up. Thanks a lot for the info. I should be very careful from now on!

Guys! Guys!

Come on! Be careful! Harrison, I was really shocked (I honestly thought you were playing a joke on us, I am glad you are allright though) when you posted your thread about how you have arrived at the conclusion that you were ill due the all the resin dust you were subjecting yourself to. I thought that this was common knowledge to everyone? Resin is awesome stuff, but please take precautions!

Here is another site to visit on how to be more careful with stuff we might not be, but should

Resin ain't no joke

I'm not trying to belittle anyone here - just concerned.

Hi Brian, you can never be too conservative when it comes to your own health .... Wear a mask !! and make sure it's OSHA qualified & rated for resin dust. Different mask have different safety qualifications & ratings.

The thing "some" modelers don't understand; though they might not have any immediate, unforseen problems from harmful resin dust or paint thinner & solvent based paint vapors/fumes, it's more than likely it will catch up to them later. It's always best to play it safe, then to be sorry

Oh, one more thing ... Even when wearing a mask it's wise to have some kind of ventilation in the room. Even when one stop's sanding or painting , the solvent vapors and dusts are still in the air. ( Of course, if your using "water based" acrylic paint your pretty safe ).

Ralph i think you are wright about acrylic paint the fluid or carrier is pretty harmless but i still use a simple dust mask not to breath the dust that it makes.

I've taken advice from Armorama and wear a mask when working with resin, especially when removing the pieces from their mountings. When I first used resin, I was amazed at how fine the dust was when sanding or using my rotary tool.
I think I'm going to purchase a better one than the cheap disposible paper ones that I am using right now. They may be good for surgery, but I still don't feel comfortable with the with the resin dust.