OSHA requires respirator wearers be clean-shaven. Do not use a tight-fitting respirator with beards or other facial hair or other conditions that prevent a good seal between the face and the faceseal of the respirator. Why are the filters and cartridges “pink”? When a filter or cartridge has the magenta color code it has. These Professional Multi-Purpose Replacement Respirator Cartridges are used with 3M 6000 or 7500 Series face pieces to help filter out toxic fumes and to prevent you from breathing in contaminants during workplace/ occupational applications. Ideal for protection against certain mold, lead and sealant and coating sprays.
Respirators and dust masks come in several styles and types.Home and garden projects frequently involve exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins – such as paint fumes, solvents, dust, adhesives, pesticides, and caustic cleaning products – not to mention the annual assault from pollen and allergens. In addition to proper ventilation, a respirator or dust mask will go a long way in protecting your lungs and health.Respirators and dust masks aren’t all the same – there are different kinds to choose from, as well as a rating system for efficiency. At home and around the workshop, either a particulate filter (dust mask) or chemical cartridge respirator are likely to be all you’ll need. N95 and R95 particulate masks.
Particulate FiltersParticulate filters, including disposable dust masks, are the most common type of air-purifying device for home use. Particulate filters can be disposable or reusable with replaceable filters. They cover your nose and mouth and provide protection from airborne particles – including dust, mists, liquids, and some fumes – but not gases or vapors.Particulate filters are rated by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) according to what, and how much, they filter out. The rating have both a letter and number. Dust mask for cutting grass. N: Not oil proof.
R: Oil resistant (up to 8 hours). P: Oil proof (beyond 8 hours). Number: Particulate filters are rated 95, 97, or 100; which corresponds to the percentage of one-micrometer particles removed during clinical trials. A 95 rating means that the filter removes 95% of particles from the air. Filters rated 100 are considered High-Efficiency (HE or HEPA) filters.What Type Particulate Filter Should I Buy?The most common rating for disposable dust masks is N95, which will filter 95% of airborne particles that are not oil-based.
N95 covers most woodshop dust, allergens, and airborne diseases. Half-mask, dual cartridge respirator. Chemical Cartridge/Gas Mask RespiratorsChemical cartridge respirators contain special carbon filtering material that absorbs gases and vapors from the air. The replaceable cartridges are inserted in a mask that seals tightly around the edges to block out unfiltered air. Cartridge respirators may be half-mask (covering only your nose and mouth) or full-face (for protection against chemicals that irritate the skin).Chemical cartridge filters include:.
Chemical Cartridge: Block out vapors, but don’t have a separate prefilter to remove particles. Dual Cartridge: Include a replaceable pre-filter for particulates, giving you both types of protection. The particulate pre-filter will be rated just like any other particulate filter (see above). PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator): Have a battery-powered fan that blows air through the filter to make breathing easier.What Type Chemical Cartridge Respirator Should I Buy?To choose the right cartridge respirator, you need to know what toxins you’ll be facing. The cartridges are color-coded for specific purposes (such as organic vapors, ammonia, mercury, or acids). If you don’t know, or if your project it likely to contain small amounts of different substances, choose a dual-cartridge respirator with a multipurpose chemical cartridge and a P100-rated particulate filter.
Wear a protective mask when spraying potentially harmful chemicals. Wear a protective mask when using chemicals. Breathe Easy: You should also change your respirator if it becomes clogged and hard to breathe through.
Keep Dry: Many respirators, especially disposable ones, become ineffective if they get wet. Follow Instructions: Replace filters as instructed on the package. Don’t Reuse: Disposable respirators aren’t meant to be used more than once. Throw Away if Broken: Discard any respirator or filter canister that is dirty or damaged. Replace gas masks if rubber seals are damaged.Further Information.
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I work in an office. There is major reconstruction going on in my building and now in my office as well. There is no place in the building where there is clean air. I purchased N95 Respirators. I will put the Respirator on prior to entering the building.
With the understanding that these masks are to be disposed of after use, my question is: When I leave the building for lunch; if I carefully place it in a plastic container; will it be safe to put it back on prior to re-entering the building? In other words, do I need to use 2 Respirators a day, or will 1 be safe if handled carefully? Thank you.Mike Says. Pablo Jimenez said: “I use a particulate respirator (dust mask) for my stone cutting job but I notice at the end of the day, my nostrils are full of dust.
What is going wrong?”Pablo – what’s probably going wrong is that the dust mask isn’t sealing well enough around your face. They are meant for just the lightest protection – stone cutting makes horrible dust (I’ve cut ceramic, brick and mortar) and it’s going around the sides of the filter when you breath. No matter how much you shape the little metal piece to your nose it will leak. If you’re a stone cutter, you owe it to yourself to get a good quality respirator mask. They’re inexpensive and honestly, breathing in that dust really is damaging your lungs. You can get pneumonia and even emphesema from it seriously.Anne Keeble Says.
I bought a 3M R6297-M respirator(mold/lead mask) for working in my 250 square foot open dog run, my question is, are these cartridges appropriate for working in dusty conditions?, and if not, can I replace these existing cartridges with the appropriate ones?, using the same mask? ThanksWe want to hear from you! In addition to posting comments on articles and videos, you can also send your comments and questions to us on our or at (800) 946-4420. While we can't answer them all, we may use your question on our Today's Homeowner radio or TV show, or online at todayshomeowner.com.Name (required)Email (will not be published) (required)characters available.