Some Respirator Questions...

[Burgerkong]

Just came home with a North 7700 half mask, a pair of organic vapour cartridges and spare P100 filters for $45. Fits great and is extremely comfortable. Only questions I have is whether it's better to get cartridges that are multi-purpose or for single purpose? The ones I have are for organic vapours, which I presume are useless for acids (the multi-purpose one covers acids). Also, will a particulate type filter (P100, the ones I have) be adequate for welding, or do I need something with odour protection? Will particulate filters stop lead, asbestos and fiberglass (I assume they would)?

Thanks!

 

[0.511MeV]

The P100s stop particles, so lead, asbestos, fiberglass, etc yes.

If you need to filter more than one type of hazard, get combination cartridges, e.g. organic vapor plus P100 if you are working with fiberglass (particles) and resin (organic vapor).

Keep in mind that a half mask has an APF of 10. That isn't a lot of protection.

 

[Burgerkong]

The P100s stop particles, so lead, asbestos, fiberglass, etc yes.

If you need to filter more than one type of hazard, get combination cartridges, e.g. organic vapor plus P100 if you are working with fiberglass (particles) and resin (organic vapor).

Keep in mind that a half mask has an APF of 10. That isn't a lot of protection.

I'm not going to be working in a hazardous environment, only going to be mainly grinding, wire wheeling and painting stuff (muriatic acid for etching floors). Maybe the parts washer as well. Typical home owner activities, and plus I need to wear glasses, so shelling out hundreds for a full mask with a prescription lens kit wasn't in the plans.

I am going to swap in a multi-use cartridge, seems like it's a better bet.

 

[0.511MeV]

North makes the "defender" cartridge with P100, acid gas, organic vapor, ammonia, etc. It is a pretty good all around cartridge, but keep in mind, once opened, they don't last forever.

P100 filters are a bit different. You can use them until they start clogging or until they start getting nasty.

 

[Burgerkong]

North makes the "defender" cartridge with P100, acid gas, organic vapor, ammonia, etc. It is a pretty good all around cartridge, but keep in mind, once opened, they don't last forever.

P100 filters are a bit different. You can use them until they start clogging or until they start getting nasty.

Yeah I bought those too in addition to the OV ones.

 

[TheMonge23]

Just a tip: when open your cartridge and are done using it, make sure you remove it from the mask and put it into a plastic bag with the date you opened the cartridge written on the outside. Helps to keep you from using a bad filter.

 

[Burgerkong]

Just a tip: when open your cartridge and are done using it, make sure you remove it from the mask and put it into a plastic bag with the date you opened the cartridge written on the outside. Helps to keep you from using a bad filter.

I am marking the dates physically on the cartridge/filter. The multi-purpose cartridge came in a clamshell plastic package that wasn't really airtight. Will this affect longevity? My organic vapour cartridges came sealed in a plastic bag for that matter.

 

[srmofo]

So what respirator would you guys recommend for a very limited use homeowner with a plasma cutter? I decided since all I had around the only time I fired up the plasma cutter was my OV/P95 respirator that I would use it. It definitely filtered out that plasma cutter smell, but I wonder how much protection it really offered. Im not looking at spending $1500 on a compressed air system that 3M is recommending for the very limited use I do with the plasma cutter in a wide open garage,but Im also not looking to die from metal poisoning of some type

 

[zkling]

3M makes some nice semi professional masks for ~$25-35. Then you have to purchase the cartridges for your specific application. Probably end up with ~$60 all said and done. IIRC they are somthing like the 7500 series masks from 3M

Unless you are cutting galvanized, brass, bronze, or some type of coated metal, you shouldn't have too much of an issue with a plasma cutter. Good circulation is usually enough.

 

[0.511MeV]

If you plasma cut stainless, you'll generate hexavalent chromium. P100 filters will stop the particulates from plasma. If you use organics to clean the metals prior, get an OV/P100.

I personally prefer full face piece respirators. I don't like trying to get safety glasses or goggles to work with half masks.