I wrote to the group a while ago regarding headaches after working on the
airplane. I have now verified that it is the epoxy that is the problem. I did
this through periods of time without doing certain jobs. There is a direct
correlation there. Unfortunately, I thought that it was just doing the active
lay-ups of resin and glass, but I am now concluding (at 430AM with another
headache) that it also seems to be caused by exposure to the dust from
grinding the material (now both fiberglass and carbon fiber). I have gone as
far as to order a "hobby air" ventilation system and have used it for the
last few days. It pumps in fresh air when working on the project -- to a full
face mask. I thought I had found a solution but, to my dismay, I sit here
with another headache. I have been rigging the wings and have been doing
filing of the skin to get a proper fit. I haven't worn the mask all the time
-- only during active grinding. I must conclude that the exposure includes
dust from grinding and is either breathed or absorbed through the skin --
even in the dust state. My next idea is to wear a tyvek full suit and wear
the pumped in air mask full time anytime the fiberglass is touched. I think I
also need to do a better job of vacuuming the dust from the floor and
probably mop up after each grinding. I had been crawling around under the
airplane where there is obvious residue from the grinding operation. This
gets it on my clothes and carries along with me all day.
I have to get through this to see it to the end. unfortunately, I have the
finish work yet to go on the flight controls, which entails much sanding and
exposure to the epoxy. If I had this reaction early on in the project, I
probably would have quit. These sleepless nights with headaches are getting a
bit old. The good news is that I have been able to work on the airplane for a
2 week stretch and have not had headaches ( due to no epoxy work - both
sanding and lay-ups), so once the airplane is done, I will not be flying
across the country with one hand on the stick and the other with a bottle of
aspirin!!
If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears.
One idea that pops up is to contract out the finish work on the controls. I
could just work a little harder at working and make the money to leave that
to the professionals -- at least most of it.
Thanks,
Dave Anderson
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