Questions before buying new conure

[mzkitty]

Hi!

I have my heart set on a green cheek conure and have been doing lots of research in preparation. I have some questions if you don't mind!

First of all, I live in a garage-turned-studio part of the family house. There's plenty of room in here and I also share my room with a bunny. Is it okay to share the room with a conure with an air purifier? Bunny does her business in an enclosed litter box that is cleaned regularly so there's no urine smell or anything like that. She's a clean bunny.

I'm also concerned that the washing machine and dryer are in the next room. Will the conure be okay with some light scents coming from the washing machine? (No dryer sheets).

I am also an artist. I sometimes work with resin and I'm concerned with the fumes. If I work with it in another room should I be concerned with the fumes going through the air vents? I'm willing to sacrifice working with resin at home if need be.

As long as my conure doesn't eat my hair, is it okay to have hairspray in my hair around him/her? I wouldn't spray it anywhere near of course.

Thanks! I know it's a bunch of questions but I have to be absolutely sure so I can be a good parront.

 

[weco]

If you're talking about polystyrene casting resins...YES...toxic, including respiratory & skin irritation, dizziness, gastrointestinal irritation, nausea & vomiting...and...that's for humans. I know someone who died because he developed inoperable liver cancer because he enjoyed creating authentic HO scale model railroading equipment for a particular New England railroad from the 60s and earlier. He used to cast parts with casting resins & never read any material safety data sheet (MSDS) on the materials he was using.....when he began getting physically sick, it was already too late.....contact the manufacturer(s) of the products you use & have them provide you with current MSDS on them.

Having used these types of materials as sealants, you don't want any of these products anywhere near companion birds.

As long as you're not using dryer sheets or any type of softener in the dryer, you should be fine.

As long as there's no birdy-bunny interaction you shouldn't have any problems. Rabbits carry Pasteurella bacteria & hand washing between your handling of the rabbit would be wise.

What kind of an air purifier are you taking about.....some of those things, even those in the $1000+ brackets are little more than expensive toys. California bans some of them because they do not do what they claim to do.

 

[mzkitty]

Wow. Thank you for the information on the resin. Perhaps it would be safer for me and anyone around me to retire that hobby. I'm not that great with it anyhow.

The air purifier I was referring to was one I chose after researching. No ionizer or special stuff, just true HEPA. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-Whispure-Purifier-Cleaner-APT40010R/dp/B005NCB3HY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1R72YO94A2N8V&coliid=I2EUB9N254WIU7"]Link[/ame]

Edit: Oh and the air purifying has a VOC sensor.

 

[weco]

People who use those resins in their jobs are usually controlled by OSHA regulations & wear suitable, approved filter masks, but I'm sure they would be cumbersome in an artistic endeavor.

I'm not familiar with small units like that one, but its size alone indicates that it is a particulate filter alone.....it is not capable of removing toxic odors like those created by casting resins.....for something to do that, you'd be looking at a piece of equipment taking up probably half of your studio space.

Though I'm not doubting it has a VOC sensor, I don't see any use for it.....does the manual indicate what type of or specific VOC it detects.....those are not really one-size-fits-all pieces of equipment.

 

[mzkitty]

Ohhh no the air purifier was just for pet dander, etc. I'd never trust an air filter with those fumes.

Thank you so much for your help!