As a home chemist going on almost 3 years now I've often pondered safety / protective gear. Now I have plenty of gloves, a lab coat of sorts, a few
goggles and my own glasses, and I'm currently working on some awesome DIY footware.
ANYWAY... I think I should have some sort of chemical respirator, either disposable or otherwise. I was leaning towards a permenant one with
changeable & affordable (*read: cheap) filters. I haven't the foggiest what to look for. I have only ever NEEDED one years ago, and I had one from
lowes luckily. At this point in my life I am simply feeling cautious.
Also, as far as innocuous but potent smells go, what are the best ways to limit and/or subdue them? (I know ventilation, I got one window and a fan.)
One final piece... If I attached weather strips on 3 sides of a door, could I severely limit air flow, keep smells in, and even somewhat soundproof
the door? Radiums Lab - 9-4-2025 at 13:11
Can you please tell what are the filters rated for or what are you using them for?Sulaiman - 10-4-2025 at 00:35
For ventilation you need air going out, and air coming in.
and the air coming in should not be contaminated by the air going out.
So, you need at least two 'ports" in your room.
An extraction fan would create a negative pressure in the room, pulling in air from wherever it can
eg via the gaps around your door, ensuring no smells leak out.
The major problem with this scheme is wind direction.
A strong wind in the wrong direction can overcome a weak fan and reverse the airflow
A small but powerful fan (eg as used for cooker extractor hoods) is better than a large slow fan in this respect.
Have you considered a cooker hood with an extraction fan?
Looks innocent if above a cooker
but with a little ingenuity could be a workable fume cupboard ?
That is basically my plan for my new lab (someday)Precipitates - 10-4-2025 at 04:39
Also, as far as innocuous but potent smells go, what are the best ways to limit and/or subdue them? (I know ventilation, I got one window and a fan.)
I would say run whatever is producing the smells through something that will neutralise them - even for innocuous, but stinky smells. If that's
possible.
There are some good threads on here about building fume hoods, ventilation ideas etc.,
In any case, good to have a respirator as a fail safe, especially if the chemical is toxic. I was working with bromine outside, but then the
separatory funnel broke and I spilled a load all over me. Even good ventilation is not going to cut it when your hands are venting bromine. Btw I was
wearing good PPE so no harm done. But...respirators are good to have in case your extraction fan or fume hood decides to pack-up, or you have a
random, very inconveniently timed, power cut.
I, probably unwisely, will add the filters to a solution of a chemical that I know will neutralise the toxic agent e.g., sodium thiosulfate.
But...it's probably suggested to buy respirators that will specifically scrub your target compound.
One final piece... If I attached weather strips on 3 sides of a door, could I severely limit air flow, keep smells in, and even somewhat soundproof
the door?
For very potent smells it's difficult, as they will always seem to find a way out. But you can try with something better smelling and innocuous.
This may also be a way to cover up bad smells - at least that's what air fresheners will claim.
Soundproofing may be even harder, as I believe that's more to do with the thickness of your door and walls. bnull - 10-4-2025 at 10:40
One final piece... If I attached weather strips on 3 sides of a door, could I severely limit air flow, keep smells in, and even somewhat soundproof
the door?
I advise against soundproofing a home laboratory. If you screw up and scream for help, no one will hear.
