Comments on: Do You Wear a Respirator? http://www.woodworkingonline.com/2007/11/08/do-you-wear-a-respirator/ An online source of information for the connected woodworker. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:16:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Joel Hess http://www.woodworkingonline.com/2007/11/08/do-you-wear-a-respirator/#comment-10681 Joel Hess Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:56:29 +0000 http://www.woodworkingonline.com/2007/11/08/do-you-wear-a-respirator/#comment-10681 Jon, This is a great question. Here is the information I could dig up on the P100 pancake filter that I use with the half-mask respirator (it comes from OSHA's website): "...Under the new NIOSH criteria, the filter materials for these respirators are tested at a flow rate of 85 L/minute for penetration by particles with a median aerodynamic diameter of approximately 0.3 um. Three categories of filter (N, R, and P) are designated, each with three levels of filter efficiency (95%, 99%, and 99.97%) for a total of nine respirator classes. The three levels of filter efficiency include the Type 100 (99.97% efficient), Type 99 (99% efficient), and the Type 95 (95% efficient)..." I'm waiting to hear from 3M to see if they have a filter that meets your standard of .03 microns. Joel Jon,

This is a great question. Here is the information I could dig up on the P100 pancake filter that I use with the half-mask respirator (it comes from OSHA’s website):

“…Under the new NIOSH criteria, the filter materials for these respirators are tested at a flow rate of 85 L/minute for penetration by particles with a median aerodynamic diameter of approximately 0.3 um. Three categories of filter (N, R, and P) are designated, each with three levels of filter efficiency (95%, 99%, and 99.97%) for a total of nine respirator classes. The three levels of filter efficiency include the Type 100 (99.97% efficient), Type 99 (99% efficient), and the Type 95 (95% efficient)…”

I’m waiting to hear from 3M to see if they have a filter that meets your standard of .03 microns.

Joel

]]> By: Jon Hughes http://www.woodworkingonline.com/2007/11/08/do-you-wear-a-respirator/#comment-10669 Jon Hughes Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:16:04 +0000 http://www.woodworkingonline.com/2007/11/08/do-you-wear-a-respirator/#comment-10669 Any advice on what filter is "sufficient" to protect a woodworker against dust? I have heard that you should have protection down to .03 microns, but have never seen a filter that works to that level. Any advice on what filter is “sufficient” to protect a woodworker against dust? I have heard that you should have protection down to .03 microns, but have never seen a filter that works to that level.

]]> By: Jim Burr http://www.woodworkingonline.com/2007/11/08/do-you-wear-a-respirator/#comment-9917 Jim Burr Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:52:45 +0000 http://www.woodworkingonline.com/2007/11/08/do-you-wear-a-respirator/#comment-9917 I can't imagine not using a respirator of some kind. As a Respiratory Therapist, the dangers and resulting desease processes that can occurs from inhalation of sawdust and other particulates is something we see on a daily basis. Fibrotic lung issues can be avoided by using a respirator. I think you have to ask yourself what's the bigger inconvience, not breathing or putting on the mask. I can’t imagine not using a respirator of some kind. As a Respiratory Therapist, the dangers and resulting desease processes that can occurs from inhalation of sawdust and other particulates is something we see on a daily basis. Fibrotic lung issues can be avoided by using a respirator. I think you have to ask yourself what’s the bigger inconvience, not breathing or putting on the mask.

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