I was airbrushing a cake today with black coloring. So you can imagine how everything around the airbrush area is coated in a fine film of black. Well, I've a cold right now, so I finish up airbrushing, tuck the cake back in the fridge and go get a kleenex to blow my drippy nose....and OMG, I've inhaled the stuff!!!! 
I'm sure I've been breathing it all in the past, but black just made it soooo much more noticable. So I've been wondering if this is harmful. Next time I wear a mask!
I don't think it can do your bronchial passages or lungs any good...I would wear a hanky like the cowboys wear over nose from now on. Just a few times I would not worry but if its often , yes I would cover nose 
The first time I airbrushed I used blue, and I had blown my nose and was like what the... I'm glad the first time wasn't red because then I probably would have freaked out.
This is an aside but wow who knew?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/06/health/main3239379.shtml
"Popcorn lung" messes up your lungs from the ingredients in the microwave popcorn and the steam heat from opening the bag.
So no telling what all our other products are doing to us--and for that matter I always make sure that when I use spray oils like Pam or Baker's Joy I hold my breath and leave the area for a few minutes--I don't need that stuff in my lungs.
Random rainbow booger & popcorn lung thoughts for you
--would you like extra butter with that?
This is an aside but wow who knew?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/06/health/main3239379.shtml
"Popcorn lung" messes up your lungs from the ingredients in the microwave popcorn and the steam heat from opening the bag.
So no telling what all our other products are doing to us--and for that matter I always make sure that when I use spray oils like Pam or Baker's Joy I hold my breath and leave the area for a few minutes--I don't need that stuff in my lungs.
Random rainbow booger & popcorn lung thoughts for you
--would you like extra butter with that?
LOL!!!!! 
I bought some masks but still get rainbow colored boogers when I airbrush.... maybe I got the wrong kind?
I wonder if it has to be really tight and secure around the nose bridge for the mask to work. I was going to go to Walmart today and check out masks in their pharmacy area. They're the onlyy kind of mask I know about.
Look in the paint and hardware stores - I got one of those monster masks once to strip a floor and did not breath in any fumes as long as I had it on. It's a little more expensive, but I believe the only thing you have to do is change the filters on it periodically. I can't remember the brand - but I bought it at Home Depot in the paint section. Painters use them for spraying on paint - and that latex is much worse for you than food safe ink.
I think a mask is a good idea. I knew someone several years ago whose teen son died from Pam. They were at a cookout in the park and 2 of the teens got hold of cans of Pam (I am assuming it was for grilling) and started goofing off with it and spraying it at/on each other and it coated the lungs of one young man and he died...Now I always hold my breath when spraying it.
By the way, you should wear the mask when you use the dusting petal/disco/luster dusts, they really fly through the air.
I knew someone several years ago whose teen son died from Pam......it coated the lungs of one young man and he died....
Sadly, kids "huff" (deliberately inhale) PAM to get high. They get high off of the accelerants (often nitrous oxide or a gasoline related chemical) in the can and forget that the product in the can can have harmful side effects if inhaled, too.
It's not an accidental or innocent situation. We spent a lot of time warning our 2 boys about this when they were in middle school & senior high. It often runs rampant during these school years.
Rae
Ha ha-that is gross! I'm sure one time you will be fine, but from now on wear a mask.
I also hate it when I breathe in Bakers Joy.
I heard some report somewhere about bakers having a higher incidence of lung problems when they get older because of all of the particles of sugar/flour/ airbrushed food coloring etc that we inhale.
Not only that, but after dealing with my nearly-deaf FIL and taking him to the hearing aid place 18 times in the last 6 months, I now use earplugs when I have the mixer on for long periods of time.
By the way, you should wear the mask when you use the dusting petal/disco/luster dusts, they really fly through the air.
i was just dusting some gumpaste flowers with petal dust tonight and saw the stuff flying around. 
By the way, you should wear the mask when you use the dusting petal/disco/luster dusts, they really fly through the air.
i was just dusting some gumpaste flowers with petal dust tonight and saw the stuff flying around.
My kitchen is semi-open to the living room, but it's a good 30-35 feet away from the fireplace. I was dusting one day and the fireplace mantle was covered with red petal dust, so that stuff gets around!
I bought some masks but still get rainbow colored boogers when I airbrush.... maybe I got the wrong kind?
Maybe the particles are so fine that they pass through the weave (or whatevere) of some masks.
We had a neighbor back when I was in my teens that died of emphysema. He had his own bakery and it was from inhaling flour and powdered sugar.
I figured it can't be good for you . I've also started doing petal dusts outside in the garage with the door open. I have a desk set up out there so that I can lay everything out and the dust goes right on outside. I don't use them too often, but man they go everywhere!
I use a 3M dual cartridge respirator and love it! It comes in numerous sizes therefore it's possible to find one that fits just right. The respirator cost $25 and came with an extra set of replacement filters. Depending on amount of use, I replace my filters every 4 to 6 months (filters cost approx $4/pair). I like it because it fits right, is comfortable and easy to breathe, provides great protection and doesn't give me a headache.
I purchased mine at a shop that specializes in automotive paints (Space Age Paint in Mesa, AZ) because they had a great selection of all sizes and were very helpful with fitting the mask. This isnt something that should be purchased online unless you already know what size you wear
Yup, technocolor boogs!! LOL!
I usually wear a dry wallers mask if I'm doing much dusting or airbrushing.
Jen
Look in the paint and hardware stores - I got one of those monster masks once to strip a floor and did not breath in any fumes as long as I had it on.
I know this is serious....but....
I saw myself making cakes with one of these masks on and making the "Darth Vaider" sounds OMG I can't stop laughing!!!!!
"Luke, I'm your cake designer"
(in the best Darth Vaider voice and sounds togo with it)!!!!
OMG I'm on the floor and my husband thinks I'm really nuts now!!!!! 
VIC
I had a teacher in high school who always complained about how he'd get "chalk lung" someday. For christmas that year we got him dust-free chalk.
When I was in Nursing School many many moons ago, we took chalk from the black boards in one of our class rooms and put it in a petrie dish and sent it to the hospital lab to see what was growing.......strep, staph and some organisms they could not identify were a few ...yikesters
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%