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Safety -- Make sure you are safe!

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  #1  
Old 2011-09-27, 1:24pm
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Question Skin cancer risks

I am curious if anyone else worries about or protects themselves against exposure while torching. I have a face shield hanging from my ceiling and I wear eye protection, but what about sunscreen on your hands and arms?
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Old 2011-09-27, 1:37pm
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I've never even considered it. Is it just the heat you're thinking about, or something else?
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Old 2011-09-27, 1:57pm
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The problem for skin cancer would be UV and torching just doesn't produce much of that. I'd be more worried about dry skin from the heat.
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Old 2011-09-27, 3:44pm
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My dermatologist thinks it is a risk. I can not remember all of the different terms he used, but he said there is another type of ray emitted from torches than can and does cause skin cancer. I have had it twice, before I started torching and am using a face shield now.
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Old 2011-09-27, 4:32pm
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The two main radiations are UV (Ultraviolet) and IR (Infrared)...

Dale
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Old 2011-09-28, 5:55pm
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I use sun block and long sleeves.
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Old 2011-09-29, 7:08am
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If you work boro colors very hot you can produce enough UV to get some effect over a days' work, but not much. The face shield will protect your eyes from any UV produced, provided you have the correct shield.

Your main radiant hazard is IR (infrared) which does not play a role in skin cancer. Only UV is involved in the DNA damage that leads to skin cancers. Sunblock will help keep your skin moisturized, but so will a plain moisturizer.

Robert
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Old 2011-09-29, 11:22am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mountain Snail View Post
My dermatologist thinks it is a risk. I can not remember all of the different terms he used, but he said there is another type of ray emitted from torches than can and does cause skin cancer. I have had it twice, before I started torching and am using a face shield now.
There are much greater health hazards in this game. If you want to minimize the health risks familiarize yourself with the hazards of materials we come in contact with such as refractory, Frax, glass dust etc.
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  #9  
Old 2011-10-22, 5:19pm
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I am pretty aware of the other risks. I have excellent ventilation, etc but as a two time skin cancer patient I don't need to be tempting the fates. I now have a face shield hanging down from the ceiling.
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Old 2011-10-22, 6:29pm
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In my experiance, very few health profesionals have have any clue about lampworking. Please clarify your dermatologists specific concerns and post them here for people to check out.
Darrell
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Old 2011-10-23, 1:11pm
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You could switch to a hothead. Seriously though, you could.
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Old 2011-10-23, 1:28pm
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It doesn't produce much UV rays. Since I'm allergic to them, I would be breaking out in hives after torching and I never am. But 15 mins in the sun and I'm itchy.
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