Respirators / masks

[Blanky]

A few years ago I got one of the $20-25 half face masks with replaceable cartridges for stuff around the house. I found that the disposable paper-type ones are utterly, completely, and thoroughly worthless. Impossible to seal around the face reliably. The mask I have is decent, but still I can smell odors at times and I worry it doesn't seat as well as it should. Also, it doesn't protect the eyes. I can say happily that I am pretty anal about using it and any time I'm sanding or doing crap like that, I use it.

Anyway, this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JZ1M10/ref=biss_dp_t_asn#Ask

Seems like the boss mask to own. Anybody have one? My only concern is that I can't take it on and off super fast and easy like I do with my other one.

Also, I assume there is no real expiration on most of the filters? I know some of them have an expiration date, but for stuff like sanding dust from wood or paint, can I use the same filter for a couple of years of sporadic use?

 

[highland145]

Heisenberg?

 

[Greenman]

It's going to fog up, and you don't need a mask like that for sanding. Get the paper ones you hate and learn how to fit them.

 

[Belegost]

The only time I've seen something that extreme was for powder coating in an enclosed space with insufficient ventilation.

Even for spray painting in a booth the basic mouth/nose cartridge mask is sufficient. Make sure the seal is not getting old and less soft, that is the usual cause of leaks. You can use a bit of petroleum jelly around the seal to help it bond better.

That said short of a forced air supply there will always be some amount of odor.

 

[Sukhoi]

A few years ago I got one of the $20-25 half face masks with replaceable cartridges for stuff around the house. I found that the disposable paper-type ones are utterly, completely, and thoroughly worthless. Impossible to seal around the face reliably. The mask I have is decent, but still I can smell odors at times and I worry it doesn't seat as well as it should. Also, it doesn't protect the eyes. I can say happily that I am pretty anal about using it and any time I'm sanding or doing crap like that, I use it.

Anyway, this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JZ1M10/ref=biss_dp_t_asn#Ask

Seems like the boss mask to own. Anybody have one? My only concern is that I can't take it on and off super fast and easy like I do with my other one.

Also, I assume there is no real expiration on most of the filters? I know some of them have an expiration date, but for stuff like sanding dust from wood or paint, can I use the same filter for a couple of years of sporadic use?

That will fog up and you will hate it. Get a half-face that fits you and use with respirator-compatible goggles. The various manufacturers have slightly different shapes. For example, the standard 3M half-face leaks on me but a North does not.

And what cartridges are you using? Many of them remove no odors or only specific odors.

 

[Sukhoi]

That said short of a forced air supply there will always be some amount of odor.

Not true. I've used significant quantities of methanol while wearing a North with carbon cartridges and didn't smell a thing.

 

[Blain]

I've used different disposable masks for dust and really like the fit & function of These Moldex masks.
For better protection I use a 3M half-face 6000 series mask.

 

[Blanky]

Why would a mask fog up if the respirator section is separated from the eyes, like in the first link? The 5/5 stars can't be wrong.

I still hate the paper masks. Don't trust them at all.

I tested out my half face again last night taping over the inlets and it has a very good seal, though I can still get some small bits of air to leak around the edges when I suck in, but it's not bad. I may just get some new cartridges for it.

I have worn swim goggles while sanding before. May just get those. Perhaps I can get this half mask to work better after all I do realize a full mask seems a bit much for basic house stuff.

 

[Stopsignhank]

OK, industrial safety guy here. I know a bit about dust masks/respirators. Yes the paper dust masks do not work well. If you want a disposable dust mask you need to look for ones that have the designation N95 on them. http://www.amazon.com/3M-8511-Particulate-Respirator-10-Pack/dp/B0002YKBV2 are very good.

How to put them on.
http://http://solutions.3m.com/wps/...-equipment-videos/player/?bctid=2162985254001

How to seal check them.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...-equipment-videos/player/?bctid=2162985269001

Now these are only good for dust. If you want to use something around paint then you will need to use a mask that has a P95 designation. If you use a N95 around paint it will just clog up.

As far as your half mask, you need to do the same donning and fit testing procedures. You also need to change the filters. You also need to look for the same N95 and P95 designations, depending on what you are working on.

 

[Stopsignhank]

Somewhat legal disclaimer. You need to know what you are breathing. If you are using a dust mask they are generally only good for dust. Don't grab one of these masks while you are working with chemicals, fumes, mists or smoke. They are not good for that. There ARE respirators that are good for chemicals, fumes, mists and smoke. However you have to buy the correct respirator for that.

Please check what you are working with and use the 3M site to choose the correct mask, respirator or cartridge.

 

[Greenman]

So what we've learned here is that dust masks are for dust, respirators are for chemicals & smoke.
My experience in this is limited to masks for latex paint and lead. I'm a licensed lead abatement contractor (most GC's are).

 

[Blanky]

OK, industrial safety guy here. I know a bit about dust masks/respirators. Yes the paper dust masks do not work well. If you want a disposable dust mask you need to look for ones that have the designation N95 on them. http://www.amazon.com/3M-8511-Particulate-Respirator-10-Pack/dp/B0002YKBV2 are very good.

How to put them on.
http://http://solutions.3m.com/wps/...-equipment-videos/player/?bctid=2162985254001

How to seal check them.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...-equipment-videos/player/?bctid=2162985269001

Now these are only good for dust. If you want to use something around paint then you will need to use a mask that has a P95 designation. If you use a N95 around paint it will just clog up.

As far as your half mask, you need to do the same donning and fit testing procedures. You also need to change the filters. You also need to look for the same N95 and P95 designations, depending on what you are working on.

Nice! As far as filters, I imagine filters don't lose effectiveness with age--they merely clog and make air flow more difficult. Is that true? And if it's not true for vapors, maybe it is still true for dust particulates?

 

[Blain]

Dust cartridges get clogged with particles, charcoal/carbon cartridges get saturated with chemical compounds.

 

[Stopsignhank]

To explain this fully I need to get geeky on you and try and keep this short, but I don't think it will. What I am saying is all based on OSHA rules. OSHA rules only apply at workplaces and do not apply in the home environment.

A dust mask is the paper mask you buy a home depot. They usually have a single strap and are pretty worthless.

The 3M 8511 mask that I showed you is technically a respirator, in some instances. They have the N95 designation which means they are a respirator. The best way I can explain this is with an example. If someone at work was exposed to a high dust environment and the dust levels were over 10 mg/m3 for 8 hours then they may be required to wear the 8511. In which case it would be considered a respirator and they have to go through a set of regulations. If someone is in an environment where the dust levels are below 10 mg/m3 they would not be required to wear the 8511. However if they want to wear one then this is called voluntary use and the 8511 is now not called a respirator, but a filtering face piece. Much less restrictive regulations apply in this case. They do make different styles of these for different things. The 8511s are for dust. We use the 8576 for acid fumes. They also make some for paint fumes and others for welding fumes. The maintenance guys say they welding ones work very well.

The half mask respirator which we all think of as a respirator I believe is always called a respirator. We don't use those at work so I don't know much about them. However like I said above, the cartridges are made for different things. They have dust cartridges and cartridges for gases and fumes.

If you are wearing an 8511 and you are staining some wood, you are going to smell the stain through the mask. If you wear an 8576 there is a carbon layer in there and that might stop the stain fumes. I looked at the 3M site and they recommend the 8577 for stain. I like the 8576 because of the flapper valve. It makes it cooler to breath because the hot air goes through the valve.

In answer to your question, yes the filters do not lose their efficiency as they get loaded up. They just get harder to breathe. They should be cheap enough if there is any doubt to just throw them away and get a new one. If you are using one for stain, you should not smell the stain at first. Assuming that it is fitting you properly. Then when you smell the stain through the filter that is called a break through and it is time to change the filter.

See I knew it would be long, and there is still more I could say.

 

[Blanky]

Thanks!

I admonished a neighbor last night for not using a mask. His father in law died of mesothelioma not long ago, so he's aware of the hazards of exposure to toxic substances. Today he's taking a diamond saw to a concrete wall and not using a mask. I think it's absolute insanity, but oh well. He doesn't use one for anything at all, from sanding to mixing concrete.

 

[Greenman]

To explain this fully I need to get geeky on you and try and keep this short, but I don't think it will. What I am saying is all based on OSHA rules. OSHA rules only apply at workplaces and do not apply in the home environment.

A dust mask is the paper mask you buy a home depot. They usually have a single strap and are pretty worthless.

The 3M 8511 mask that I showed you is technically a respirator, in some instances. They have the N95 designation which means they are a respirator. The best way I can explain this is with an example. If someone at work was exposed to a high dust environment and the dust levels were over 10 mg/m3 for 8 hours then they may be required to wear the 8511. In which case it would be considered a respirator and they have to go through a set of regulations. If someone is in an environment where the dust levels are below 10 mg/m3 they would not be required to wear the 8511. However if they want to wear one then this is called voluntary use and the 8511 is now not called a respirator, but a filtering face piece. Much less restrictive regulations apply in this case. They do make different styles of these for different things. The 8511s are for dust. We use the 8576 for acid fumes. They also make some for paint fumes and others for welding fumes. The maintenance guys say they welding ones work very well.

The half mask respirator which we all think of as a respirator I believe is always called a respirator. We don't use those at work so I don't know much about them. However like I said above, the cartridges are made for different things. They have dust cartridges and cartridges for gases and fumes.

If you are wearing an 8511 and you are staining some wood, you are going to smell the stain through the mask. If you wear an 8576 there is a carbon layer in there and that might stop the stain fumes. I looked at the 3M site and they recommend the 8577 for stain. I like the 8576 because of the flapper valve. It makes it cooler to breath because the hot air goes through the valve.

In answer to your question, yes the filters do not lose their efficiency as they get loaded up. They just get harder to breathe. They should be cheap enough if there is any doubt to just throw them away and get a new one. If you are using one for stain, you should not smell the stain at first. Assuming that it is fitting you properly. Then when you smell the stain through the filter that is called a break through and it is time to change the filter.

See I knew it would be long, and there is still more I could say.

Nothing with a long post when it's valuable information.