Extraction Ventilation for good health

[scratchmyback]

Denise...I forgot - another test I had was a CT scan to rule out any abnormal brain activity ... LOL ... not sure if I passed that one or not! (I was fine). So you can see those symptoms could be related to other things going on in your body besides what your doctor is inferring. He also mentioned stress as well but it did turn out to be vertigo.

I hope you get it sorted out and you can keep doing what you love.

Laura

 

[Jewsey]

hi

sorry to hear your not feeling well but a mask is a good suggestion, i work in the engineering industry where chemicals are used in large volumes but you can get masks that give protection from toxic dust, asbestos etc okay they don't look very pretty but im sure this would help. hope you feel better soon x

jules x

 

[Deni]

Hi...

I have spent thousands of pounds on training and products (i only use the best! IMO).

I have a good client base.

I have the Talon desk.

Behind my working area i have an extraction fan to take the vapors outside.

I have two windows i can open to let new air in. Also a door obviously.

I have seen several threads about extraction but the doc told me the vapors should not enter the facial area..full stop.

Although wearing a mask cuts down on the dusk particles entering your lungs. Its a shame there isnt something that we can invent/design to do the job completly.. The idea fiona has is perfect and has given me hope..x

If my post has frightened anyone new starting out in the nail world..i am sorry..but please please as much as the right training and the best products are essential..the BEST ventilation is a MUST!

The main reason i posted this thread was to ask for help really..I dont want to give up my precious nails..I am gutted.. And i wouldn't wish how i have felt this past month on anyone..x

 

[Deni]

could you try using gel for a bit - to see if anything changes?


Hi..

I was told that even though we cannot smell the vapors with gel, it doent mean they are not there and we need the same amount of extraction?


Can someone tell me if i am right on this please.

 

[geeg]

could you try using gel for a bit - to see if anything changes?


Hi..

I was told that even though we cannot smell the vapors with gel, it doent mean they are not there and we need the same amount of extraction?


Can someone tell me if i am right on this please.

correct

 

[Deni]

I thought you indicated that you had both wall and desk extraction units in your workroom/salon?

Most nail companies recommend extraction ventilation. This is usually desk extraction which means taking dust (mainly) and vapors away form the immediate working area and your breathing zone, and clean air circulating back into the room. In other words EXCHANGING air.

You seem to be doing this although 99% of nail technicians do not. According to manufacturers, extraction ventilation is enough. In fact more than enough. Maybe it would be helpful to know exactly what extraction systems you have in place and if they are in fact extracting (filters regularly changed etc) and doing the job they are meant to do.

I would be seeking a second opinion.

Hi..

Good point Gigi...no point in having the extraction in place if it doesnt do the job..

The extraction desks i have seen other than the purex (i havent seen this one yet!) all suck the vapors and dusks downwards but are not very powerful or positioned in the right part of the desk IMO.

The other thing that concerns me ( i have had many hours thinking about extraction as you can prob tell) is why isnt there any extraction when we do our training? I have only trained with one company so i wonder if all are the same?...Or the comp halls too?...it's like a vapor trap in there and i was in there for over 5 hours!

Also mobile tables dont have anything at all...should technicians be told to have a portable one..is there such a thing?

Maybe us geeks should design one?..As it should be part of setting up as a nail technician!

Oh Gosh why has my thread title been changed and some pms removed from my box?

 

[MINKUS]

i did a thread a while back with a prob i THOUGHT i had with l+p.

I only use gel now and havent had the prob come back...i dont know if it was anything to do with the l+p or if it was coincidence.

If gel does have vapour too....then thats foxed me!


http://www.thenailgeek.com/main/101...-p-am-i-hypochondriac.html?highlight=wheezing


amb xx

 

[Cathie!]

I have been on 2 training sessions where they had extraction, all the other places I have been didn't have any...good point.

I can't actually remember what was said about extraction on my original course...so probably not a great deal....I think since having my own salon I have become more aware of the needs and am doing everything I can to ensure that all angles are covered....

I hope you are feeling better soon Deni and manage to get things sorted !

 

[Deni]

Deni, there was a thread recently about extraction and there was a "debate" going betwen Sam and "Purex".

The concern I have for you in your current situation is that you might go and spend loads of money on something that may not in reality help you.

I dont know what your situation is where you work, but I have a hole cut into the top of my desk and a kitchen/bathroom extractor fan fitted with a long tumble dryer type hose attached which is then vented to the outside. Not pretty, but reasonbly cheap and very effective.

Hope that helps you a bit. Sorry if I sound like I was getting at you - I didnt mean it that way.

Hi Fiona..

Yes i saw the thread..
I feel the same about expence but saying that it is essential i think if i am to continue nails.. But have often wondered too why it is so expensive though!

Do you have a pic of your desk extraction and hosepipe please?

 

[Deni]

i did a thread a while back with a prob i THOUGHT i had with l+p.

I only use gel now and havent had the prob come back...i dont know if it was anything to do with the l+p or if it was coincidence.

If gel does have vapour too....then thats foxed me!


http://www.thenailgeek.com/main/101...-p-am-i-hypochondriac.html?highlight=wheezing


amb xx

Hi..

Why did you give it up?

 

[jenny34]

hi
evry one i would just like to say, a friend off my worked in a salon as a nail terchnician and she also had these symptoms she had several tests and use all extract fans and ventilation she also use mask's to prevent her from breathing in vapour, these test were taken over several months and they even tested the products that she used as they asked her to bring them in and took samples of the products that she used she used creative and nsi. why these test were on going she was on the sick from the salon and she was off for over 12 months she never used the products whilst she was on the sick and found that she felt better, but the doctors and specialist had found that it was the vapours of the products and it was caused by a certain chemical in the products, but did tell her that was rare case that this had happened to her. but she can no longer works in this type of feild anymore, and now she suffers with a lot of asma which she didn't suffer from before until she started to be unwell.
This isn't to say that this maybe your case and nothing has been said about this before or heard of anyone else with the same symptons etc. and that anything as been found she was just unlucky thats all.

I thought i might let you all know about this i am not scaremongering but i do feel that you need as much info as possible about this.

hope you better soon.

please let us know how to get on with the tests and everything

jenny

 

[jac extreme]

Hi Deni, sorry to hear you may be thinking of giving up nails I truly hope it doesnt come to that, I am afraid I cannot offer any advice but just wanted to say I understand why you posted and I am sure you did not mean to scare anyone, you are just concerned for your health and at the prospect of giving up the job you love, hope you feel better soon mate:hug:

 

[MINKUS]

Hi..

Why did you give it up?

main reasons......i took to gel much better, and i cant stand the smell of momomer....i'm not sure wether it contributed to my wheezing or wether it didnt but since using gel....no wheezing.:cry:

Amb x

 

[Urban Geek]

I'm really sorry to hear that you are suffering Denni and hope that you get a resolution soon.

I am glad that you posted. It just re-inforces the necessity for working efficiently and having the proper extraction ventilation system. I have an extraction system installed to the right-hand side of my nesk and it sucks the vapours and dust outside. I also have a ventilation system so that clean air from outside replaces the contaminated air. If I have a window or my salon (bedroom) door open, the ventilation system does not work effectively. Opening a window does not sufficientiently clean the air. The only way you can do this is with extraction ventilation.

When my hubby first made enquiries about suitable extraction ventilation, it was very difficult, almost impossible, to get people knowledgeable enough to advise. He refered to Doug Schoon's book and I am luckily enough that he could work out what was effective for my room. During rebalances, I also wear a small mask and find it makes a difference too. (I'll try and get Jon to write down some information so that I can post it. I certainly feel the difference since having it installed, although I also work more efficiently too.)

Wish you better soon honey :hug: :hug: :hug:

 

[Cathie!]

Christine, is your ventilation system mechanical as opposed to just being a vent? Obviously the extraction is mechanical....but I guess if the ventilation isn't mechanical, it wouldn't pull in enough clean air to replace what you have extracted?

 

[naturalnails]

Hi Fiona..

Yes i saw the thread..
I feel the same about expence but saying that it is essential i think if i am to continue nails.. But have often wondered too why it is so expensive though!

Do you have a pic of your desk extraction and hosepipe please?

In the gallery now - as I said - not very pretty - but functional. The client doesnt really see under the desk and they appreciate that the salon doesnt smell and their hands are not always covered in dust.

 

[inspirations]

I need to clarify my input on this thread.

I too have suffered with lack of concentration, lethargy, chest pains and palpatations, headaches. I also suffer with asthma, although I have had this before I started doing nails. It only gets worse, when I have no ventilation or extraction. i.e. on training days.

These have been worse after a days working in my home salon. I have been to the doctors and had blood tests for diabetes and thyroid. These have all come back with normal levels. Therefore, as yet it is unexplained.

I am not saying that it has been due to doing nails. I have only had the symptoms since I have been doing nails though. As in another thread, I have stated that I have recently bought a Talon desk and have a fuminator on my desk top. This does take all of the visible particles that used to float in front of my face away!! The vapours are nowhere near as strong however, I had become immune to the odour and could no longer smell it. Clients have told me that it is far more pleasant.

I had been noticing that my mood would go very low over the days I wasn't working (before ventilation). Then as soon as I opened my monomer, I would be hyper and felt feelings of giddiness, almost euphoria. I thought, "I just really love doing nails!!" It is possible that that is all it is.

However, since working with vent system, I am on a more even level now. Therefore, I believe that it is necessary to use a good extraction system and just working in a tidy manour is not sufficient.

I mean not to scare people I am just giving you my experience over the last two years. New Techs should be aware how important it is to invest in a good healthy working environment.

 

[Deni]

In the gallery now - as I said - not very pretty - but functional. The client doesnt really see under the desk and they appreciate that the salon doesnt smell and their hands are not always covered in dust.

Hi Fiona..

Yes i agree not a pretty site but omg what a brill idea..i had said this to simon (my man!) but didnt know it could be done..excellent!

Thanks..x

 

[Deni]

Hi...
I have just had another thought...If the desk has a built in extractor but it doesnt carry the vapours and dust out of the room but filters them instead is this still as good?

The reason i ask this is like carol i have desk extraction but also have an extractor like fionas built into the wall taking the stale air out of the room.

The doctor insisted to me that it is the facial area that is the most important bit as the vapours are most intense obviously!

Would the extraction be better coming from the side instead of up or down maybe?

How can find out these things?

All i know at the moment is that i haven't done any nails for nearly a week and have just started to feel better again and i am worried about doing a client again with the extraction and ventilation i have!

 

[inspirations]

Masks have been mentioned in a few posts on this thread.

I used to work in the protective clothing industry and those little pink masks are classed as a 'comfort mask'. The only purpose they serve is for people working on fine detail who don't want to breathe on their work!

To get full dust and vapour protection, you need to wear one of these...
http://www.workwear-safety.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=28020008

Not pretty and a bit Darth Vadour, but this will protect you!

Not very nice for a client to see you wearing that and I can't imagine offering them for them to wear!!

I would still like to hear how much this product has been tested....eg the dust for what it can do to your lungs.

Don't mean to cause mass panic but I feel that we need to be mindful of what happened in the building industry....not too long ago...people didn't know what asbestos did and worked in it and used it to build with!! Thanks to the lack of regulations and products not being banned quickly enough (it takes ages for tests and bans to be put in place), my dad now has plural plaque on his lungs from breathing in asbestos. Therefore he has a higher risk of cancer in the lungs.

Not saying this will happen in our industry, but I would like to see more proof that this will NOT HAPPEN!!