I always wear a dust mask for woodworking, but lately I’ve been around materials that are much finer than sawdust, such as cerium oxide powder (for polishing glass), powdered grout, and airborne concrete dust. I’m not sure if my mask (which is disposable and has a vent) is adequate for these.
What kind of mask should I be using? There are fancier, two-filter masks, but are they even more annoying to use?
Janet
Replies
Janet,
Call 3M and tell them just what particulates your exposed to and they'll tell you the filter type.
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/safety/occ_health_safety/node_GSTJY48Z1Kbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_5SDD44F7DZge/gvel_4PV4LH4X9Kgv/command_AbcPageHandler/theme_us_ohes_3_0
1-888-3M HELPS
Good luck.
Seth
Remember the 1989 movie "Batman"? There's a scene where The Joker is in a parade and suddenly onlookers start collapsing. Realizing that The Joker has released poisonous gas into the crowd, a newspaper reporter rushes to his car, digs through the equipment in the trunk and pulls out--a dust mask! He claps it over his nose and mouth and is now protected from the gas.That just made me cringe. Of all the writers, set builders, etc., who worked on the movie, surely one of them must have realized that a paper DUST MASK was the wrong prop?Janet
HAHAHAHA, but the Japanese seem to wear paper masks everywhere they goconstruction workers ,stevedores, power plant workers, school kids, bus drivers, cops, geishas......I mean everybody...what's up that ?.
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"but the Japanese seem to wear paper masks everywhere they go"
Ever see a picture of the subway pushers in Tokyo? If you were literally inches away from a coughing commuter, you'd where a mask too.
Actually however, this is a cultural thing. The Japanese wear masks when they are sick to avoid spreading germs to others. Nice eh?
Now if I could just get my kid to do this I would be much healthier. :-)
Here's a fun article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/354321.stm
Edited 3/15/2007 1:43 pm ET by Thaumaturge
It seems ironic that they are concerned with hygiene, and yet they still get sick...probably because foreigners don't share the same sensibilities and breathe all over them and probably don't wash up all that well...who knowsthe simple gesture by the lady pouring the water over the taps speaks volumes ........
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If you're already wearing a dust mask, you probably won't find cartridge type air purifying respirators any more annoying. Generally, they have better exhalation valves and fit better.
Get a good mask such as the 3M 7000 series. Get the supplier to fit test you for it. P100 particulate filters will give you the highest protection against dust, but if you are working with solvents etc. you will need something else. With concrete dust and the like, prefilters will increase the breathing resistance somewhat but will greatly increase the life of your cartridges.
Amateurs talk strategy, Generals talk logistics.
http://www.amazon.com/Respro-Sportsta-Contour-Face-Mask/dp/B000AI1P5
Try this link. I have used these for years. Quality made and they work.
Mike
Good move upgrading from a paper mask. The protection they offer is slight. I'd recommend a half-face respirator. It's a rubber mask that covers the mouth and nose, but not the eyes. Many cartridges are available for them, designed for specific hazards. Dust (particulates) is probably the one you are looking for, but many paint solvents can also be effectively filtered out.
just curious....... do you have a beard?
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I hope not! Janet
whooooooooooops...hahahahahaha sorry Janet.
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I would be in favor of the half face resp. or even contacting 3M as suggested.here are a few types of disposable mask that have an charcoal element for some fumes and meet the N95 standardMoldex comes to mind ....2300 or 2700, I have worn both of those in a foundry ( where shaving was a requirement) for protection from smoke, but I'm no expert on which to choose for you...
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Edited 2/26/2007 1:05 am by maddog3
check here:
http://abcsafetyglasses.com/mly-2300.htmland http://abcsafetyglasses.com/mly-mol2700.htmlI have worn this one
http://www.abcsafetyglasses.com/mly-3m9211.html
.....almost every time I have needed to wear a mask, it is cooler than the others but does not block any fumes.
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http://www.amazon.com/Respro-Sportsta-Contour-Face-Mask/dp/B000AI1P5G
Sorry, link did not work, trying again.
Or google Respo dust masks
Mike
I've really liked my North 7600 full face mask:
View Image
All silicone, very adjustable, very comfortable. Keeps crap from gettting in your eyes from off angles too.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
I like that oneThat foundry I worked in kicked that style around for a while, but finally changed their minds when they realized that folks with prescription eyeglasses would all have to be refitted for cheaters that snapped into the faceshield...I guess safety is a good idea if you don't need glasses.
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Eyeglasses--I forgot to consider that. I do wear glasses. Could you expand on the workaround your foundry used? I have some old pairs of glasses. The lenses might be cobbled into a workaround. Certainly wouldn't cost anything to try. Janet
Edited 2/26/2007 1:42 pm by jyang949
North makes two different eyeglass pieces for that mask, your optomitrist would fill the lenses in, of course.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
what paul just wrote ..they were going to have to purchase the inserts for everyone..and since they already pay for safety glasses for a few hundred folks..the went with the PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirators) set-up really bulky and hot....quite a bit more money per person but only a one dept. ended up with those.
....click the link......
you should just think about the half-face type...if you need different cartridge type filters.
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Thank you too, and I thought my motorcycle
helmet buying days were over!
I called 3M for advice about respirators, and was surprised when the rep said that I didn't need to upgrade from a disposable mask!I asked, "What if I'm working with particulates that are smaller than what the mask is designed for?""Don't worry. It's even easier for the mask to catch smaller particulates, although it shortens the usable life of the mask.
Today's dust masks are really over-engineered. As long as the mask is fitted properly, all you need is one that is:
a) designed to filter particulates
b) marked with NIOSH approval
c) marked with a number like [but not limited to] N95 or P100."He said this applies to all masks, not just 3M.
Janet , did the 3M dude happen to tell you HOW to test for a proper fit ? that seems like a rather pat answer from a Mfr. rep.I had to test fit four different styles of N95 masks with the safety Dept. before I could just throw one on and go to work.
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He started to tell me how to test the fit, but I told him I had already seen the instructions on the 3M website:http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Occupational-Health/Environmental-Safety/Training-Tools/Respiratory-Protection/Fit-Test-Training/But, that's just *testing* the fit. As you noted, you first need a mask that can be made to fit.Janet
Janet, I must affirm what the others have said about the cheesy paper dust filters. I never use them. There's no way there is any kind of seal between my face and the material. I always use the 3M mask.
But there is another option I have often had the impulse but somehow not enough inclination to pursue and that is the filter type that supplies fresh air behind a face shield. A small air pump and filter are combined in a small battery powered pack worn on the belt. The face shield can be part of a helmet or equivalent to any typical faceshield you might wear for grinding or turning. A small tyvek apron covers the opening between the visor and your neck. Slight positive air pressure from the filter keeps dust from getting behind the shield and the airflow keeps you from getting to hot and sweaty.
I've seen this shown in articles in Fine Woodworking. It doesn't have the big rubber thing sucking your face off (gets tiresome after awhile) and doesn't interfere with vision or glasses. Here is an example of a unit made by Devilbiss although there are others out there:
http://www.devilbisseu.com/cat.aspx?id=84
Glad to hear you are upgrading. A lung is a terrible thing to waste! - ruint
How much?
Ebay has them for around $100, I've seen them retail for less than $200.
It seems steep for just dust work, but it is so comfy you don't mind wearing it. I have this and a stack of good quality paper masks... I grab the full face every time. It's the best set of safety glasses I ever had - it doesn't fog!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Thanks, while Im at it, any replies from
guys with beards?
Is there a FULL HEAD type helmet sort of
offering?
I've been using a war surplus Israeli gas mask. They sure do the job, and if you look, they can be found for less than the high end dust masks.
-- J.S.
I decided to buy 3M's "ultimate reusable" respirator 7502--and it's great! Easy to attach/detach, very comfortable, and glasses/goggles don't get fogged up.
Here's the basic product:
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/safety/occ_health_safety/node_B161XBW76Lbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_5SDD44F7DZge/gvel_4PV4LH4X9Kgl/theme_us_ohes_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html
and I also bought two kinds of filters. One for particulates, and one for organic vapor. They also have a filter that does both.
So glad I have this. Thanks for all the great advice!
Janet