Sanding the hull

[Yngmar]

One with replaceable filter cartridges. Then you pick the filter cartridge for the job at hand (particle size, organic, etc.). The most important thing is that the mask fits well, because if air comes in through the wrinkles in your face instead of the filter, it'll not be filtered so well

This 3M one seems to be popular, I've used the one from Toolstation for a similar job. The latter one has a "test" button for checking that it is sealed tight to your face, which is handy. Adjust straps until it checks tight. When you're relaunching, throw away the old cartridges so you don't even get tempted to use them again next year - they'll be full of mould by then.

Goggles were a bigger issue, as they always fog up when you start sweating, no matter what (I even tried Cat Crap, an anti-fog for diving masks). Best you can do there is buy two and swap when one fogs up, leaving the other somewhere to dry.

 

[Pye_End]

Use sanding mesh and a hosepipe. The mesh clears with a quick squirt, and at the same time wet the next square foot you are going to work on. Can't see a need for a mask in these circumstances.

 

[sailor211]

A nose and mouth unit from tool station or Screwfix,replaceable filters adjustable straps to keep it in place. I think mine is a 3m with fine dust filters. Is good and is not sweaty. It was what was available on the day

Also have googles, last serious work I did my lungs were clean but my eyes were full of crud as I took the googles off.

 

[Tammany]

I bought this one from screwfix. Comfortable and has replaceable filters. You can check the seal too.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/jsp-force-8-mask-respirator-with-press-to-check-filters-p3/1863f

 

[Sneaky Pete]

But it's toxic and dry sanding is a definite no !

The job is not stopped because it's toxic. Enclose the hull in poly sheeting, wet the ground and wear proper PPE.
What if your using a scraper does the fine dust particles not go airborne, and yes consideration to those around you and the environment helps?

 

[howard easton]

It has to be done wet, mask or not !

Some years ago I dry sanded a hull end ended up a nice shade of blue. Cant remember what caused me to do it, but I checked up wit the national poisons centre whether I had done myself a nasty not bothering with a dust mask. After looking at the antifoul contents and to my great surprise they said no. There were no real nasties in the paint.

Medical advice changes faster than a politicians promise so I wouldnt count any longer on what they said to me. But I wouldnt panic either.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Big difference between a scraper and an orbital power sander, used dry.

 

[awol]

It's the same as any job - carry out a risk assessment by reading the data sheets, safety notes, considering the social and environmental impacts, defining and taking suitable precautions. Your answer may well be wet sanding with full PPE or something else. Like Howard I checked the data and found the biocides have little effect on mammals (with Micron the main biocide is sprayed on fruit!).