[Nuker]

OK so one of my plans last year called for this stuff. When I went to buy it I kept getting dire warnings about how I would inhale this stuff and it would destroy my lungs etc etc.

I used it, carefully of course, and it let me sand the epoxy quite smooth.

Certainly almost everything we use in this hobby is in some way toxic but what is the real scoop on the micro balloons or is it one of those urban legends? Will someone really collapse if they breath near it?

Anyone have the facts?


Bob

[Frank Klenk]

Micro balloons ... little tiny hollow beads of glass. Of course you saw how it's just like dust, well you breathe it in and it sits in your lungs. Very detrimental to your good health!

Frank

[Nuker]

Yup I fully agree, but I was even told that when you open the container, it floated out.; incredibly dangerous etc.

I treat it with the same respect as CA but I was just wondering what precautions, if any were recommended.

Thanks

Bob

[4*60]

I believe my 35+ years of smoking were dangerous. I quit. A few minutes around microballoons will not compare. I would wear a dust mask and work slowly with them until they are combined with the epoxy or varathane.

Just for info: I worked with them repairing full-size sailplanes as a club maintenance chair, so the volume we used was huge, and I am still here. This wasn't commercial levels but it wasn't model levels either. The smoking or the microballoons may get me yet and I have learned to take more precautions now, but don't let the Californians ("known to cause cancer in California") spoil all of our fun.

I have not been known to collapse while breathing.

In the words of the famous Dennis Miller. "That's just my opinion of course, I could be wrong"


Another Dennis Miller.

[Dave Holmes]

What I want to know is where can I get my hands on some? I haven't seen any in either of the LHS I frequent.

Dave

[gbjets]

Dave

For years now I've been using marine mille fiberglass fibers from Cdn Tire, I find it easier to work with than micro balloons, just mix it with 5 or 30 min epoxy.

Gaston

[Nuker]

Hi Gaston,

how does that sand once cured? Might be an option

Bob

[AJCoholic]

I buy the microballoons in a gallon size bucket from Composites Canada (for about $16) and that lasts a long time...

Any glass/silica based substance (like fibreglass insulation, glass bead blasting media, silica sand blasting sand, etc) will casue silicosis if inhaled in quantity. Luckily a simple dust mask will prevent that!

[gbjets]

Bob

Since it's used with epoxy it's not the easiest thing to sand, same with micro balloon, I spelled it wrong it should read marine milled fiberglass fibers, it actually says gap filler on the can, Andrew is right, if you have to sand it use a mask.

Gaston

[Nuker]

I regularly use a mask when working with/sanding this stuff. I was just really wondering the extent of the risk of just having it there; basically assessing the real risk from the rumor.

Thanks for the info guys, it's much appreciated.

Bob