Posted by unyi5465 What would be best for asbestos?

See the information in the comment directly above your post ;)

Another question regarding beards. Is it better to wear a mask with a beard even though that means it won't be completely air tight or better to go without?

I think I remember reading somewhere that if you have a mask that is not completely air tight it could actually be worse than no mask, but that didn't fully make sense to me. Can you shed any light on that?

Posted by CatAndTie Another question regarding beards. Is it better to wear a mask with a beard even though that means it won't be completely air tight or better to go without? I think I remember reading somewhere that if you have a mask that is not completely air tight it could actually be worse than no mask, but that didn't fully make sense to me. Can you shed any light on that?

In the work industry, people required to wear respirators are not supposed to have facial hair, regardless of proper fit. It becomes a liability, too (for the employer). Asbestos particles are smaller than smoke particles... much smaller.

https://www.youtub...atch?v=gZZrLMeh7lA

Posted by General Zod In the work industry, people required to wear respirators are not supposed to have facial hair, regardless of proper fit. It becomes a liability, too (for the employer). Asbestos particles are smaller than smoke particles... much smaller. https://www.youtub...atch?v=gZZrLMeh7lA

Yea, I do know that and it makes sense… but in the non- required field of exploring is it better to wear a mask with improper fit/ with a beard or does it just make matters worse or is it still better to have some coverage?

Posted by CatAndTie Yea, I do know that and it makes sense… but in the non- required field of exploring is it better to wear a mask with improper fit/ with a beard or does it just make matters worse or is it still better to have some coverage?

In my opinion, it probably defeats the whole purpose. A loose fit on the neck, chin, or cheeks is going to create a siphon effect, sucking air right past the respirator. In addition to that, if you are sporting a beard, you then have thousands of hairs present, capable of collecting asbestos particles like a mop, right onto your face near your mouth and nose.

Posted by CatAndTie Yea, I do know that and it makes sense… but in the non- required field of exploring is it better to wear a mask with improper fit/ with a beard or does it just make matters worse or is it still better to have some coverage?

It will help but you will have to add an extra step to you routine. You will loose somewhere around 30% of the protection with a beard that falls 1/8in thick if I remember correctly. However thats still a good amount of protection than breathing the normal air.

What you will have to keep in mind is that if you are sucking contaminated air through hair, larger particulates and aerosols can embed there. You will need to make sure that you wash the hair to remove any contamination.

So no, it doesnt defeat the purpose, but you do need to be aware that you are causing a secondary exposure that will need cleaned up. Better some protection than none!!

Hope that helps!!

Posted by Send4Help It will help but you will have to add an extra step to you routine. You will loose somewhere around 30% of the protection with a beard that falls 1/8in thick if I remember correctly. However thats still a good amount of protection than breathing the normal air. What you will have to keep in mind is that if you are sucking contaminated air through hair, larger particulates and aerosols can embed there. You will need to make sure that you wash the hair to remove any contamination. So no, it doesnt defeat the purpose, but you do need to be aware that you are causing a secondary exposure that will need cleaned up. Better some protection than none!! Hope that helps!!

This makes sense. Thanks!

Newbie question here:

How do you know when you need masks? Obviously a chemical plant or paper mill requires protection, what are some other often-hazardous places? I'm going to an old coal breaker soon. Should I have a mask for that?

Posted by Jethron Newbie question here: How do you know when you need masks? Obviously a chemical plant or paper mill requires protection, what are some other often-hazardous places? I'm going to an old coal breaker soon. Should I have a mask for that?

Depends on the amount of coal dust in the air. I wouldn't think it to be necessary. I've never been to a coal breaker, though.
I also have never worn a respirator, but i have worn a dust mask at a coke plant once.

I love this! Thank you so much

Hey guys, I apologize if this has already been asked, but I have a P100 half mask with asbestos rated cartridges. I explore sites with confirmed asbestos and are likely to have particles in the air, about twice a month. How do I know when cartridges are full, or is there a general rule on how often you guys generally replace them?

Posted by Jethron Newbie question here: How do you know when you need masks? Obviously a chemical plant or paper mill requires protection, what are some other often-hazardous places? I'm going to an old coal breaker soon. Should I have a mask for that?

I explored a paper mill recently, and went with a simple, low tech dust, mask. Granted, it was well ventilated area for the most part (those missing walls, you see...) and I was always cautious of any physical symptoms of gas inhalation, but it all depends on the location.

Any specific half-mask model recommendations? Which model would be best for stopping asbestos?

Thank you for this! Now excuse me while I go buy an air purifying half mask respirator for myself and all of my friends.

Posted by SadRobots Any specific half-mask model recommendations? Which model would be best for stopping asbestos?

The ones with an N100 filter of course.

You get what you pay for.

I've been looking into getting myself a respirator so thanks for all the info!

I have never UE-ed before, so that is good to know =)
Thanks for the very useful info!

I have brought my respirator several times recently to places, but was to lazy to actually wear it. Plus I prefer to let my face breath.

just for those of you interested/curious on where and how to get one...

go to your local home depot and pick your self up a multi purpose job site p100 3M respirator for about 45 bucks. The cartridges last me about 10 hours of use.

Once you exhaust the cartridges you can simply buy another set. It is funny how much they cost though. Its sort of like printers and ink. the printer it self doesn't cost as much as you would think it should, but the ink on the other hand costs a lot more then you think it would. respirator cartridges are the same.

I stick with plain P100. It's mostly particles you don't want to breath in, such as asbestos, concrete, lead, cadmium, mold spores and rodent urine infested and irritating mist. You should keep it clean so you don't get debris or grits in the exhaust valve or else it will leak a little bit with every time you inhale. P100 isn't P100 if you have a leak.

Organic vapor filters cut down on mold and decay smell, but they're bigger, add breathing resistance and make the mask weigh twice as much and less comfortable. You would wear them if you're painting a car. The more cumbersome it is, the less you tend to use them.

So from what it looks like here for asbestos the P100 filter is best. My question is that will that P100 filter be good for other stuff such as mold? I'm about to get a mask myself and want to know which filters I need.