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Respirator Filter Education

Beemer

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Jun 21, 2020
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Trying to get an education on what to use for protection using spray can paints (generally oil enamels), and spray can solvents like brake and carb cleaners.
On another road, there is grinding dust and soil dust in the arid months working the yard.

The 3M filter information is a bit overwhelming in quantity so any help there would be useful.
 
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Beemer

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You need a particulate + organic vapor combo cartridge for painting.

For grinding and dust, a particulate filter will be fine.

Keep in mind organic vapor cartidges do have a finite life when opened as they will absorb organic vapors from the air.
Thanks,
Can the organic vapor cartridges be stored in a manner to extend life? Remove and zip lock bags?

What about the specific solvents (cleaners) mentioned as for filter requirements?
 

RTM

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May 13, 2019
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SF Bay Area
Here is one recent thread talking about them, you may recognize it.





There was another more recent one which was very good, but I can not find it. Talked of all the different cartridges to be used for what, which half faced respirator worked best, etc.
 
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Beemer

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Jun 21, 2020
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Here is one recent thread talking about them, you may recognize it.





There was another more recent one which was very good, but I can not find it. Talked of all the different cartridges to be used for what, which half faced respirator worked best, etc.
Thanks.
It's been a while since I had a need and lost track of the discussion.
Printed it out this time!
 
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American Locomotive

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Thanks,
Can the organic vapor cartridges be stored in a manner to extend life? Remove and zip lock bags?

What about the specific solvents (cleaners) mentioned as for filter requirements?
Generally, solvents, alcohols, thinners, paints, ethers, anything with that kinda' chemical "sweet" smell are all organic vapors. The OV cartridge with a prefilter will do a lot of heavy lifting in most shops.

Putting the cartridge in a sealed bag may prolong its life. I don't think it would be guarenteed of course.
 

bonneyman

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Apr 22, 2010
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Desert SW
Be careful about buying old stock and/or older models of masks. The cartridges get superceeded and you're left with a usable mask but filters no longer made for it.
My mask was like 10 years old, never had any issues with it, original box of filters worked fine. When I went to the occupational work supply for some more was told that the 3 filters they had were the last of the stock - recommended I get a new mask as mine was "old and discontinued ".
 
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Beemer

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Decided on a 6502QL respirator, 60923 combination cartridge filters and 2091 particulate filters that came yesterday and the 60923s were used today for some painting.
I like them although a bit sweaty in the sun.
The quick release on the respirator is a pretty nice feature.
 
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boom_bap

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Idaho
IIRC 3m 6006 for paint with n95 plus covers. Keep your filters in an air tight plastic bag or container to extend the life (and removing moisture prior naturally).
 

pcmeiners

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In the only town in Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg.
ou need a particulate + organic vapor combo cartridge for painting.

For grinding and dust, a particulate filter will be fine.

Keep in mind organic vapor cartidges do have a finite life when opened as they will absorb organic vapors from the air.
Agree... to add, those flimsy non N95 masks are pretty much useless for particle/dust. For particle/dust start with an N95 or better mask. As to cartridges for organics they have a very limited life, the amount of charcoal or other organic absorbing compounds in cartridges is very limited, giving a false impression of safety. Basically if your working with dangerous vapors change the cartridges at least daily ( which rarely happens), for regular work with dangerous vapors you need supplied clean air and a hazard suit as many organics can permeate skin tissue, as in isocyanates used in paint hardener or insecticides for example.
 

zimman

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Mar 2, 2014
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Location
Mark Twain National Forest
Masks and Gloves. First question is how's immune system? LMAO I encourage the younger folks to use them but honestly after decades without them I'm okay. I have worse luck at the grocery store standing next to a sniveling teenager.
Zim
 

Tinkerer2

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Jun 19, 2020
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343
Location
Central Florida
Best mask to use doing yard work that kicks up dust is the Wolf Snout. Doesn't get hot and works extremely well. Rinse it out every few mowings and squeeze (not twist) out excess water and allow to air dry. Lasts for years.
 
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Beemer

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Masks and Gloves. First question is how's immune system? LMAO I encourage the younger folks to use them but honestly after decades without them I'm okay. I have worse luck at the grocery store standing next to a sniveling teenager.
Zim
After cancer runs through the house things like more protection get more respect.
At this age in life, if it smells bad, I am not taking chances at encouraging cancer.
 

milkovich

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Oct 15, 2007
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681
Location
Akron Ohio
Don't know that I'd buy 60293s from Amazon/eBay. There are a lot of imports that look identical, it's one of the most copied products on earth, it'd only take a sticker to make them "3M." It might be worth the extra few bux to get them from MSC/Zoro/Menards/Home Depot or wherever that sells genuine products.
 

American Locomotive

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Jan 8, 2017
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Rhode Island
How do we really know where anything comes from anymore?
People and places we thought we trusted turn out to be just the opposite more and more so we take out chances.
The Big Name places (MSC/Grainger/McMaster/Lowes/Home Depot/Walmart/Menards/etc) all have established supply lines, often directly with the manufacturers or vendors. The manufacturers won't tolerate them selling conterfeit goods. Any joe blow can put knockoff garbage on Amazon.
 
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