How to Choose a Respirator or Dust Mask

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? Thanks

what about spray glues? what should i use?

I have an old mask for organic vapors left in my husbands dusty, dirty shop.
Can it be washed and do I need new filters? I have no manual for it.

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?

Where oh where do I buy an r95 particulate filter in a shop in the uk ??

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.

Hello I got a job working at Rona and was wondering what the best mask would be to protect NY lungs from dust thank you

I bought this mask from Lew’s. It smells like glue or chemical. The whole idea is not to breath stuff, but then you have to breath the glue like chemical odor. Returning it to Lowe’s.

I use a lot of households sprays in my jobs, kitchen and bathroom, bleach. Widow shine etc, what kind of protection is best for me?

I use household sprays for work, kitchen sprays and bathroom bleach, window cleaners etc. What kind of mask would be the best protection for me? Thanks

Thank you for this info,a practical and easy quick reference guide. I was wondering also if there are parts that signify an air valve or not, or if it is FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.
Bruce

Hello, I use Kaboom spray for tub and shower, also Lysol. Both of them are awfully smelly and make breathing hard for me as I am cleaning, while they do a great, unbelievable job. Could you please guide me of what type of mask I should use to eliminate those odors. Thank you!!

Hello, I was wondering what would be the best type of respirator for automotive clear coat application? I will be doing a clear coat job on the entire body after all the prep work is completed.
Thank you,

Shawn

Hello what suitable respirator should i use for airbrushing enamel paints thinned with white spirit.
Thank you,
Tony

what mask would be best for mosaic art? This involves hand cutting of stone, glass and ceramic, mixing of grout and thinset cement, plus occasional use of toxic glues. Mainly concerned with the powdery dust from grout and cement.

Extremely helpful! Just what I was looking to find out – Thank you!

I do a lot of polishing jewelry. Some polishes contain no oil based ingredients and some contain distillates. What kind of mask should I use. The lighter the better.

I was hoping that you could direct me to one cartridge for half faced respirator that would protect me from both bleach smell, bleach is sprayed from had held spray pump (& not ventilated very good in work area) and from pesticides in same area
Thank you in advance Jason

In your table it says for “pesticides, sprays” to use a particulate filter. But some liquid pesticides are organic vapors and dangerous. Wouldn’t they require a dual cartridge respirator?

Thank you for the good information. I need a respirator for very strong spray paint-new Rust-oleum brand and this helps me choose the right one. I almost killed my lungs by spraying without one. Paint is great; the smell and fine particles in the air are extremely strong.

The picture shown depicts a man using a dust mask when using bug spray? The dust mask is useless for protection against these chemicals!

Are regular dusk masks sufficient to stop Asbestos fiber?

What type of mask and filter would be best when using lye or other caustics for soap making?

Re “Wow Says” :
The picture shown depicts a man using a dust mask when using bug spray? The dust mask is useless for protection against these chemicals!
YESSS!! I noticed that. Who the heck is editing this page? That constitutes VERY dangerous (visual) advice.

Hi, i’m a factory worker with a pharmaceautical company. We use the regular disposable nose masks, exactly like the ones nurses use but the sad thing is, our nostrils still get attacked by dusts. I plan to suggest a better and healthier nose mask to the management but don’t what type to suggest. Please help.

Thanks for your saving life information. i want to go into soap making work. what type of mask would be suitable when using NaoH and others chemicals?

I have an allergy to gasoline. Can’t pump my gas but I need to. What type of mask should I get? Have asthma, been in the hospital twice since inhaling these fumes. Help!!

What type of nosemask is required for sandblasting operation?

Hello
I have question. I’m professional cleaner. Can u please tell me what kind of mask is the best to use in this kind of job ( to protect myself from chemical like domestos and other)?
I m asking becouse I’m using chemical very often and now I feel this is not good for my health using chemicals without mask.

Thank You
Regards
Monika

I am a wood carver using power tool bits. They create a lot of saw dust and I would like to know the best mask for me. If is got into air brushing I would like to know the mask for this

I dry and crush many types of hot peppers. Which mask would you recommend. Thanks.

I am working for a very dusty environment. we sand old coaches and there is grinding and welding taking place at the same time. the floors are very dusty and we also do painting which most of times is done outside the painting booth. the dust is just too much. I would like to know what kind of dust musk can we use and the painting mask or respirators because the guys double the dust musk that we use they say they are too weak the dust slips through.

Hi,

I got employees working with paper shavings on the bailing machines and these are giving a lot of dust and small particles of paper. Which is the right mask or respirator we can use?

Very thorough. But I have one question? Do I need an R95 mask for spray paint that is not oil-based, such as fabric paint? I don’t know about dyes.

I need a respirator that will be good for ordinary dust, dust from tearing down sheet rock walls and ceilings, blown in insulation that contains rodent droppings, mold, and also for chemical odors from paints, cleaning solutions, and whatever else is used in a complete house remodel. I don’t have a whole lot of money to spend, $60 is about what I have. Any suggestions on respirators for me?

In May I started a business. I work with wood. Sanding. Painting (water based)
Stain and. Polyurethane. I already have respiratory problems working in my shop. Please what mask do I need. ?

I just started my own Lawn Care Business. Every day I am breathing in dust as well as carbon monoxide from my machines. What mask do you recommend?

Hi i make glass jewelry and sometimes metal. I cut glass and grind use a lap wheel, dremel, kilns, etc.
What mask should i buy?

Also i may be using the basement of an old house for a workshop. No idea if there is mold etc there.

is a particle mask sufficient for sandblasting ???

I’ve been a painter for 30 years and have always used a double cartridge respirator when doing any type of spraying,whether it be paint,pesticides, can spray paint and anything that might damage my respiratory system. Even if the product says no mask required, wear one anyway. Your lungs,your life. I had asthma since birth. Protect them.

We recently bought a 3M 8210 dust mask and the feed is not encouraging; weak straps,very light fiber material and easily rip off nose clip. What recommendations are there for a dusty environment?

What type of mask do you recommend for visiting areas with very high levels of pollution – like beijing or new delhi?

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.

Hello I am 43 years old been cleaning houses sense I was 18 years old I now have wheezing and am concerned I’ve been damaging my lungs all these years. I do not no what kind of mask/ respirator to by for all the chemicals I use? Could you help me in understanding what kind would be beneficial to me?

I am going to do job with spray paint. What mask is best for that kind of job and also I am going to refinish my wood floors to get shine. Can you please let me know where I can by Respirator.
Thank you

Where can I buy it, if I cut a grass with a trimmer?
Is it possible to ship it to Latvia?

It was nice that you suggested choosing a face mask that has an exhalation valve to make sure that breathing is going to be easier for you. This is something that I will make sure to remember because I’m interested in latex protection mask. My children are prone to allergies, and I want to make sure that they will be protected without making them uncomfortable. Thanks!

What type and number of mask should be used when applying granular fertilizer?

I need a mask to protect myself against stone dust. Im going to be carving rocks and i heard that a simple mask is going to let the most dangerous particles get through. What should i get then

Where can guidelines for washing and cleaning these be found? I have what looks like a half face respirator that is lined with thick foam and I am not sure about getting the foam wet. Help?

Hi there! Great and so helpful article! I have asthma which is triggered by both chemicals and allergens. My biggest issue with masks is not the exhale, but the inhale. Can you recommend a mask that is easy to breath in through?