Old timer safety tip - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

bootsmckiber · 10-06-2008

I know we've all heard this from day one but many of us don't really think it's neccesary,I never did,I'm talking about wearing a mask when mixing thinset,grout,etc..I'd just throw my shirt over my face and get er done,and that's only in the last five years,I've just been diagnosed with cancer on the bottom of my palate and throat,from the amounts of grout and thinset I've chewed on or blown out of my nose over the past 21years I'm sure that ******* silica was in there somewhere.The warnings on the packaging are there for a reason,it's not the 5 weeks of radiation therapy that ****es me off,it's the 5 weeks less of setting tile this year that I'm going to miss.All these years I've wondered if those warnings really meant anything,My bad.
Cheers Mike

theyomper · 10-06-2008

Soory to hear that but it's a good word of warning to others. I nearly always use a face mask when mixing. If people read the instructions its recommended. Fine cement dust is bad for you.

**whitebeam** · 10-06-2008

I always try and mix outside if poss, Some very good points made. God knows how much crap I've breathed in over the years, Best for the future Mike.

muffinman · 10-06-2008

I always mix with the wind behind me Got to keep the dust away

**NETT Darren** · 10-06-2008

Wise words there

**grumpygrouter** · 10-06-2008

Sorry to hear of your problem. Thank you for passing on the warning to us.

**NETT Darren** · 10-06-2008

Trouble is most of us know we should do it, just cant be bothered is usually the case. got to Look after yourself

Tulsa · 10-06-2008

Mike i wish you a speedy and full recovery,all the best,be strong man.

**IvegotsTILE** · 10-06-2008

All the best mate,chin up!

Droopy · 10-06-2008

Sorry to hear that, mate.

That is something most of us never think about either.
We are too busy moaning about aches and pains, that are nothing in comparison.

All the best, Boots.

**Sir Ramic** · 10-06-2008

Firstly, i am sorry to hear of your news and wish you all the best towards getting well again.
Now could you confirm that the dust is the cause or is it just an assumption ?

Yes i agree we all know the risks but how many actually use a mask while mixing these products? I feel that with the use of a mixer the threat is less (still there of course) as in years gone by , the adhesive would be mixed with a stick or trowel while the person mixing would be directly over it and breathing harder due to the effort . Now we have the mixer, we will be at a safer (?) distance and breathing in less of the dust ( hopefully with a mask too)

i will be wearing my mask tomorrow.....but for how long before it gets forgotten again?

**Dave** · 10-06-2008

Thanks for sharing that with us mike.......i wish you a speedy recovery and let us know how things go.........