IP: Re: We're From the Government. We're Here to Help.:

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> X-Sender:
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> Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 23:16:17 -1000
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> From: Reese <reeza () hawaii rr com>
> Subject: Re: IP: We're From the Government. We're Here to Help.:
>
> At 07:05 PM 11/2/01 -0500, David Farber forwarded:
> >
> >>http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20011102-22126654.htm
> >>
> >>We're From the Government. We're Here to Help.
> >>
> >>We've heard a lot lately about how the war has restored Americans'
> >>faith in their government. Some parts of the government, though,
> >>appear eager to squander this newfound public trust. The Washington
> >>Times reports that the Postal Service, on the recommendation of the
> >>Centers for Disease Control, bought 4.8 million face masks to
> >>protect workers from contracting anthrax. But the Occupational
> >>Safety and Health Administration is blocking their use. "According
> >>to OSHA officials and regulations, the workers must undergo hours
> >>of training and pass a 'fit test' before they can be allowed to use
> >>the protective masks, which are like those worn by construction
> >>workers who install drywall and can be purchased at hardware stores."
>
> There are a number of things happening in this article, I cannot escape
> the thought that all the scary stuff is at top and the meat is down at
> the bottom.
>
> The "...must undergo hours of training..." quote in the first paragraph
> is being used to both scare and frighten, for example.  I have been
> through the training many times and it was not an ordeal I had to
> "undergo," it did not take me longer than one hour to receive training
> and qualification on any specific respirator I've been trained on.
>
> I'll cut to the heart of why I am responding:
>
> The above quoted statement, "which are like those worn by construction
> workers who install drywall and can be purchased at hardware stores."
> is not entirely correct.
>
> To block Anthrax spores in the 0.5 to 1.0 micron (i.e. the weaponized)
> size range, something more than the recommended drywall dust/mist
> respirator, such as http://www.allerx.com/8247.htm or
> http://www.aosafety.com/diy/html/99493.htm or
> http://www.wallboardtrim.com/drywall.htm must be used.
>
> This
>
> http://www.allerx.com/8233.htm
>
> is a typical 3M HEPA respirator of the dust/mist/fume type (note the
> yellow button) as are used by welders and some others and yes, if
> used at an organizational level, a fit test is or should be required.
> I have both given and received training on "how to get a good seal"
> and to be blunt, the ability of some people to follow directions
> imperfectly is both legendary and embarrassing.
>
> The article does not specify which type of respirator was purchased,
> it is quite likely that http://www.allerx.com/8247.htm or similar is
> what the Wash.Times article author was referring to.  It is the type
> preferred by knowledgeable and cost efficient construction workers
> who install drywall (note the price difference) and it is more likely
> to be found in hardware stores than the ~/~/fume respirator.  While
> both types of respirator will work to stop drywall dust, the less
> expensive unit will be more common so for the worker being paid by
> the job, where will the unnecessary expense be identified and acted
> upon?  </exercise for the reader>
>
> Bottom line, I've been wearing respirators to protect myself from Lead,
> Cadmium, Zinc (specifically) and other heavy metal fumes while welding
> and brazing for over 15 years and yes, most of the postal workers will
> need training on how to get a good seal.  If any of the male postal
> workers have beards they will not be able to get a good seal until they
> are cleanly shaven.
>
> It isn't as simple as just giving the safety equipment to the people,
> everyone who looked at only the above excerpt and formed their whole
> opinion of the postal respirator situation from it, should read the
> 2nd half of the article closely, then go speak with someone who welds
> professionally, if they still aren't convinced.
>
> Reese


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