DCHAS-L Archives, Aug 11 2020 - Re: [DCHAS-L] Wearing FR masks when working with Pyrophorics during COVID pandemic?

Connecticut requires masks, even in labs. At Yale, we are offering two types of FR masks for people who use pyrophorics or open flame. For these researchers, we give them 5 masks and they are responsible for laundering. We have 2 styles - ear loop and ties at crown/neck. They are both made of aramid fibers. Feedback from users has been positive and faculty are supportive.

Pete Reinhardt, Yale EHS Director

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> on behalf of Craig Merlic <merlic**At_Symbol_Here**CHEM.UCLA.EDU>
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Date: Monday, August 10, 2020 at 6:10 PM
To: "DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU" <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Wearing FR masks when working with Pyrophorics during COVID pandemic?

All,

This is an interesting issue, so let me give some cautionary statements.

First, 100% cotton, which is recommended for face masks over synthetics, does not really burn that well so better to say combustible rather than flammable.

Second, do you want the institution to define face masks as PPE required to do the lab work? Probably not. If the institution does, then the institution must provide the PPE (illegal to make workers buy PPE), the institution must ensure that workers are using the proper PPE, and the institution must provide laundering.

Third, if the concern is a combustible item worn on the head, what about head scarves worn for personal or religious reasons. Will the institution require FR masks and FR scarves?

Fourth, if workers are issued FR masks, which cost about 10x as much, it is unlikely they will be issued enough of them to change them multiple times a day for washing after each use. That is a health risk.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wash-cloth-face-coverings.html

Overall, the flame protection of treated cotton or Nomex over 100% cotton masks is modest for something that small, but the health issues could favor 100% cotton and the administrative issues are serious from going the FR route. Thus, one approach is to define face masks as personal attire, rather than lab PPE needed to do chemistry, and require them like shirts and pants. Not the only approach, but something to consider.

Craig Merlic

Professor of Chemistry, UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Executive Director, UC Center for Laboratory Safety

http://cls.ucla.edu

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569

Voice: 310-825-5466

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> on behalf of Jeffrey Lewin <jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU>
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Date: Monday, August 10, 2020 at 1:52 PM
To: <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Wearing FR masks when working with Pyrophorics during COVID pandemic?

This company sells Nomex masks:

https://www.thinknsa.com/double-layer-hi-vis-fr-face-mask

Jeff

On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 3:14 PM Ken Kretchman <kwkretch**At_Symbol_Here**ncsu.edu> wrote:

Hi Margaret

We did some testing here at the university some years ago with lab coats and t-butyl lithium following the referenced tragedy.

The most striking comparison was a 65-35 polyester /cotton blend which gave a very energetic flame spread vs

100% cotton, Nomex, or other treated fabrics.

I would certainly want to stay away from synthetic fabric masks for lab use.

Ken

Ken Kretchman, CIH, CSP Director, Environmental Health and Safety

NC State University / Box 8007 / 2620 Wolf Village Way / Raleigh North Carolina 27695-8007

Email: Ken_Kretchman**At_Symbol_Here**ncsu.edu / Phone: (919).515.6860 / Fax: (919).515.6307

On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 2:18 PM James Keating <james.k.keating**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com> wrote:

If you are working with phosphoric you need serious fire resistant PPE. Also limited amount of flammable material in hood area as well as in the cabinet under the hood.

Remember the Sherry Sanji tragedy.

Jim Keating

On Mon, Aug 10, 2020, 1:55 PM Margaret Rakas <mrakas**At_Symbol_Here**smith.edu> wrote:

For those organic synthesis research labs, is your EHS department recommending fire-resistant face masks? Or 100% cotton?

Many thanks

Margaret

--

Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Lab Safety & Compliance Director
Clark Science Center
413-585-3877 (p)

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Jeff Lewin

Director of Chemical Laboratory Operations

Research Integrity Office

Laboratory Operations

205 Lakeshore Center

Michigan Technological University

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