3 replies to this topic

[Christian]

Hi .

I have a good quality half-mask which has two organic filters on. I usually use this mask when I am spray painting (Dont worry - nothing illegal, paintings only!). I saw that having a dust mask on while working with aluminum and other fine powdered chemicals and metals would be a good idea, so I bought one of those "1-time-use" dust masks... They are horrible - I can't get them to fit tight so no air goes in from the top and bottom of the mask... or at least, it is blowing up the top (at the nose), cause my safety googles get very foggy!

So anyway, I would think organic filters would be just as good - or even better - for filtering any of these fine (>2micron) particles out of the air? The one time use masks seem too simple - isnt it just cotton trapped between two pads of some kind and then strapped on?

I also get a headache when using these dust masks, and I dont when I use my 3M 6000 mask... At least not when painting.

Please advice...

[GalFisk]

Don't all half mask filters include a particulate filter before the activated charcoal/other stuff? I'm using a half mask with combi filter (which takes care of things suchas HCl and NH3 vapors in addition to organics), and the first layer is a dust filter. Even good disposable masks are crap in comparison.

[Christian]

Ok - Well, the filters for mine is pretty expensive (2 filters for about 15€) so I dont feel like cutting them up to see if theres a particle filter - and I have thrown away the packaging...

But I think it does, as it has like.. same texture as the cheap ones (of what you can see) and then I am guessing activated charcoal suspended between those two pads.

This is the mask I have:

Edited by Christian, 26 February 2008 - 03:35 PM.

[GalFisk]

There are separate particulate filters that can be fitted onto the vapor filters: http://www.lascentru...ce respirators/ (scroll down to the 5000 series filters). I think the solvent filters remove most particulates anyway (this is just a guess though), but the extra filters are guaranteed to keep the stuff out (99.something percent of it at least), and it keeps the solvent filter form being clogged by particulates.
This mask looks a lot like mine, which I'm very happy with.