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
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569
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:
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 Kretchman, CIH, CSP Director, Environmental Health and Safety
NC State University / Box 8007 / 2620 Wolf Village Way / Raleigh North Carolina 27695-8007
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.
For those organic synthesis research labs, is your EHS department recommending fire-resistant face masks? Or 100% cotton?
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
Michigan Technological University
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