Alternative to N95 masks - Paint Respirators

I owned an auto body shop for 20 years and the painters only used N95 masks.... they are industrial quality 'paint masks' and have strick Federal standards that most pacific rim manufacturers don't meet

I’ve used an organic vapor respirator for work regularly. They’re very very good! Do not even entertain the white disposable masks, you WILL get even dust creep in the sides of the nose attachment let alone 0.1 micron particles!

This is required reading (at jobs, literally required by law)for anyone who is going to wear a respirator:
[link to www.osha.gov (secure)]

By Standard Number 1910.134 App D - (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When not Required Under Standard.
Part Number:
1910
Part Number Title:
Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Subpart:
1910 Subpart I
Subpart Title:
Personal Protective Equipment
Standard Number:
1910.134 App D
Title:
(Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When not Required Under Standard.
GPO Source:
e-CFR

Appendix D to Sec. 1910.134 (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard

Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to the worker. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by OSHA standards. If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard.

You should do the following:

1. Read and heed all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the respirators limitations.

2. Choose respirators certified for use to protect against the contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator or respirator packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designed for and how much it will protect you.

3. Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is not designed to protect against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles will not protect you against gases, vapors, or very small solid particles of fumes or smoke.

4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone else's respirator.
[63 FR 1152, Jan. 8, 1998; 63 FR 20098, April 23, 1998]

That is not surprising in the least bit. I wonder how much a cheap Chinese N-95 mask would actually filter on it's best day? Probably no where near its rating

PAINT MASKS and SURGICAL MASKS can't fit the face of a small child or teenager.

They are also NOT an alternative to a hazmat suit.

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

If you walk through an area with the virus in the air...You'll get it, unless your are completely separated from outside air in a self contained positive pressure full body suit

I was a painter once and used them.

2 important things. Use vaseline around the seal to the face, especially around nose area.

Make it tight. Sucks but keeps a seal.

Take deep breaths, very small shallow breaths may allow air to mix at check valve, contaminated you. So don't talk while wearing it.

Swimming goggles


Oh, get the right cartridge too

I'll bet you can still pick them up at autoparts stores too.

I was a painter once and used them.

2 important things. Use vaseline around the seal to the face, especially around nose area.

Make it tight. Sucks but keeps a seal.

Take deep breaths, very small shallow breaths may allow air to mix at check valve, contaminated you. So don't talk while wearing it.

Swimming goggles


Oh, get the right cartridge too

paint masks...

paint masks...

Just don’t live in a city

Also, do a negative and positive seal test. Look them up. Very important.

I’ve used an organic vapor respirator for work regularly. They’re very very good! Do not even entertain the white disposable masks, you WILL get even dust creep in the sides of the nose attachment let alone 0.1 micron particles!

As a professional painter for many many years, I would not under any circumstances wear a N95 or a N100 for spray painting anything. Just by moving your own mouth around you break the seal on those things all the time. I use a fitted duel cartridge filter mask and a full mask when doing epoxies and even those cartridges only really work well for a few hours but can be spread out over time to save a few bucks.

Not sure how well they would work against a virus....probably not at all! But I wouldn't be trusting a N95, over a cartridge fitted mask for painting when it comes to overall protection.

There is a reason why N95 is a few bucks and why a fitted mask is $80.00 minimum. You get what you pay for.

PAINT MASKS and SURGICAL MASKS can't fit the face of a small child or teenager.

They are also NOT an alternative to a hazmat suit.

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

YOU NEED N95 MASKS.

Not surgical masks

Friends,

Instead of speculation, go to a solid source of information on mask types:

[link to www.cdc.gov (secure)]


You are looking for N95 masks, or P100 respirators.

Anyone saying they don't work, or are a worthless intervention, is simply full of the brown stuff.

They DO work, are used by health authorities worldwide, and are well worth picking up before everything is gone.

PROTIP: Skip Amazon and your local pharmacy.

Go directly to the local Ace Hardware, Home Depot or Loews. You will find both types of masks in abundance. Despite
being sold in a hardware / builders store, the NIOSH ratings are what is most important. N95 masks sold at Home Depot
are the exact same, and often LESS EXPENSIVE.

Friends,

Instead of speculation, go to a solid source of information on mask types:

[link to www.cdc.gov (secure)]


You are looking for N95 masks, or P100 respirators.

Anyone saying they don't work, or are a worthless intervention, is simply full of the brown stuff.

They DO work, are used by health authorities worldwide, and are well worth picking up before everything is gone.

PROTIP: Skip Amazon and your local pharmacy.

Go directly to the local Ace Hardware, Home Depot or Loews. You will find both types of masks in abundance. Despite
being sold in a hardware / builders store, the NIOSH ratings are what is most important. N95 masks sold at Home Depot
are the exact same, and often LESS EXPENSIVE.