How to Choose a Respirator Mask

Choosing the right respirator mask for your needs is a big decision. The most important thing to remember when choosing a respirator mask is that not all masks are created equal; there are many factors to consider, including what type of chemicals you'll be exposed to and how long you will be using it. This blog post will help guide you through the process of selecting the best one for your needs!

Table of Contents

What Is a Respirator Mask?

A respirator is a device people wear over their mouth and nose to protect themselves from inhaling particles in the air. It has either one or two filters that turn dirty air into clean air. Other types of these devices include N-95 masks, surgical masks, and dust masks. Well-made respirators should be able to keep small particles out of your lungs for up to eight hours before they need replacing.

The masks come in various shapes and sizes to fit different facial structures and sizes, making them flexible for any use.

Wearing a mask while working with any hazardous material will significantly reduce your risk of developing breathing disorders. In particular, people who work closely with fumes should wear a gas mask to avoid long-term side effects like scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) or an allergic reaction called bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (known by the acronym BOOP).

When Should You Use a Respirator Mask?

If your job involves work like manufacturing or processing certain substances, particularly hazardous materials.
Certain jobs involving operations that produce dust-containing metals, such as aluminum and copper.
Jobs using paints or chemicals - Chemicals in cement fumes can irritate your lungs, so if you may be exposed to these substances, it's a good idea to wear a mask whenever possible.
Biological hazards such as acute infectious pathogens and chemicals with strong smells such as formaldehyde or acid aerosols should mandate the use of a respirator.

Learn how to properly wear half-face respirators/masks in the video below:

Types of Respirator Masks And How They Work?

The kind of hazard will determine the type of respirator mask you select. There are three main types - dust filters, paint spray masks, and gas masks.

Dust masks are most commonly used for particles from sanding or other vacuuming activities, which can cause allergy symptoms if inhaled in large quantities. They do not protect low levels of toxic gases, so they are not as helpful when a chemical release occurs. However, they can filter some particle contaminants and have excellent wearer comfort (their loose-fitting nature).

Paint Sprays Masks should be worn in areas whenever painting is involved, including indoor/outdoor painting processes and industrialization within an enclosed facility with paints that may be off-gas. They are necessary for indoor and outdoor painting procedures to protect against the airborne powder, dust, solvent vapors, or mist. When choosing a mask, you will want to find one that fits securely and comfortably around your face so that the mask will not interfere with your work. It should also be clear, so it allows easy visibility.

Gas masks are explicitly designed to help protect against toxic gases in three major categories: General Purpose Masks (GP's), NBC Masks (NBC = Nuclear-Biological-Chemical), and Powered Air Purifying Respirators. The GP masks protect the user from low concentrations of industrial gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, or chlorine. They do not protect nuclear or biological agents, nor do they protect the user in an oxygen-deficient environment. They can be worn for long periods and can be used by healthy adults.

7 Factors for Choosing the Best Respirator Mask for Your Needs

The most critical part of selecting one suitable respirator is determining the hazards to which you are exposed. Your employer is responsible for choosing and providing the appropriate masks for you based on your exposure, but this guide will help you make an educated decision about what mask is best for you. Factors include:

The level and severity of hazard:

Some workplaces only have low-level exposures; in other countries, like developing countries with high levels of particulate pollution outside, and many people work surrounded by dense fumes indoors. The contaminants that affect respiratory health can range from simple asbestos particles to chlorine solutions and toxic gases such as ammonia or fluorine compounds.

The duration and frequency periods at which an individual is exposed:

A few minutes at a time or a few hours? The longer you are exposed, the more likely you are to suffer ill effects.

Contamination level:

How contaminated is the air in your workplace? Are the particles large or small? Do they have sharp edges that can get lodged into your lungs? Is there enough air circulating to cleanse the room of contaminants and bring in fresh air from outside? This will determine how heavy-duty a mask you need.

The chemical properties of contaminants:

Some materials like asbestos can cause health problems even years after exposure ends because it does not break down easily. Instead, it attaches itself firmly to lung tissue, so removing it requires invasive surgery; this could be avoided if workers were provided with masks that prevent asbestos from getting into their lungs in the first place. In addition, some substances are relatively volatile; you can smell them when they are exposed to air, but if there's a lack of fresh air, it builds up quickly and easily becomes hazardous. Again, this will determine your respirator's capabilities.

How many people work with these hazards?

A single worker has less stress on equipment like filters than a group of workers using heavy equipment that stirs up dust in a confined space. If several workers have to share one mask because there aren't enough for everyone, then the risk of exposure is more significant. Some jobs require more protection, such as construction or firefighting, so be sure to get the most suitable masks needed for these types of duties if you fall under one of them.

The type of environment:

Are you working in an area with lots of pollutants, or are you indoors? In a dusty room like a foundry, there's less chance your mask will stay clean, but indoor environments may have contaminants that can infiltrate the air and become airborne. Non-workplace factors such as weather conditions (dust storms) and seasonal changes can also affect the air quality you breathe.

How long will you be wearing it?

If you're in this line of work full time, this is not much of a concern because you'll get used to it. But if you need to don the respirator only for emergencies or short periods at a time, then being more comfortable throughout those times is essential. So, for example, if I'm working in a factory and need to wear a mask for several hours, I prefer an air-purifying respirator over a disposable one. The latter may be more comfortable, but it tends to get stuffy so quickly that you have to stop every few minutes to cool off, wherewith the former, you can breathe easily without having to remove the mask or adjust it so often.

8 Steps about How to Use a Respirator mask in the workplace?

Make sure that the mask fits your face correctly. If any air gathers around the eyes, adjust the straps and Nose Bridge to ensure a snug fit.
Hold mask against your face when putting it on or taking it off, so contaminants don't get trapped in-between.
When removing your respirator, replace it with a new one before removing the contaminant-laden filter from what you are wearing now. This will prevent reactivating other contaminants into an uncontaminated environment where they can increase and cause health problems later.
It's important to change filters at least every 8 hours of wear for continuous protection if you're using N95 filtering facepiece respirators. Failure to change the filters in time can render you unprotected from constant exposure to contaminants, as well as unfit for use and disposal.
Never share respirators with anyone else, including those of your family members. This will expose them to the same risks that you're exposed to when working around contaminated environments.
When disposing of a D-95 or N-95 mask, replace it first before removing the filter and placing it inside the plastic bag provided with each respirator pack. Ideally, dispose of these items at hazardous waste collection sites where they are properly recycled or disposed of so there won't be any risk that other people might inhale harmful substances from used filters after being misappropriated for cleaning surfaces or clothing.
If you believe that your respirator has malfunctioned, replace it before continuing your work. The area might be contaminated, and the failure of your device might have allowed contaminants to seep in or out. In this case, replacing it is the best course of action instead of trying to fix a broken one so you can get back to work as soon as possible.
You should change filters every eight hours, no matter how well (or poorly) they filter the air for you immediately after a chemical spill or fire hazard incident. Even if there isn't much dust in the environment, altering conditions may cause problems down the road if the contaminants remain inside undisturbed masks for an extended period.

6 Tips for Wearing a Respirator Mask Correctly

Use the mask correctly by first loosening the straps, then carefully aligning the mask over your nose and mouth to create a tight seal around your mouth and nose while ensuring that any facial hair doesn't block the opening of the respirator.
Hold your breath once properly sealed to allow for complete filtration of air which will also create a slight vacuum pressure against all edges covered by the mask facepiece for maximum protection from inhaled particles and aggressive gases.
Place one hand against the forehead and the other tightly on either side of the chin to prevent it from sliding down as you speak or eat something without removing your respirator.
Avoid engaging in any activity like cooking or driving where you would have to remove the mask, even if it's just for a moment. At all times, ensure that you are within range of your emergency supply of fresh air from either your respirator or industrial grade breathing filters located in long-term storage and emergency shelters.
Where possible, avoid wearing a respirator in enclosed spaces or areas with poor ventilation. This increases the risk of respiratory irritation due to the building up of dust and other particulates in the air, which is not filtered by your mask but can cause health complications over time.
Always follow local safety guidelines when performing any task using a respirator (e.g., dangerous chemicals). These guidelines will include specific instructions on how long you should wear the mask and what required filtration capacity.

8 Benefits of Wearing an N95 Respirator Mask

Minimizes the chance of developing severe respiratory diseases like Asthma, Emphysema, and Pneumonia
Reduces the number of airborne microbes which can infect your mouth, throat, and lungs when breathed in (the benefits of this are apparent)
Avoids breathing in toxic fumes produced by chemicals released during manufacturing or burning
Can reduce/prevent temporary headaches caused by exposure to chemicals (such as those present in paints, solvents, or pesticides)
It helps protect from invasion from particles such as pollen and cigarette smoke
Protects against harmful UV rays (which can cause skin cancer)
It helps prevent cuts caused by sharp edges of materials or objects, which could be detrimental to your respiratory system
It keeps your mouth and throat from getting dry (particularly useful for those who spend long hours at work)

Where to Buy a Good, Affordable Respirator Mask?

We recommend that the reader purchase a respirator mask from Amazon. You can find many different types of masks, including some specifically for children, on their website.

Final Words

It's essential to know how to use a respirator mask when working in hazardous environments properly. If you don't, then your safety and the safety of those around you are at risk. We hope this guide has helped you better understand what respirators are and why they should be used. In addition, educate yourself about other types of respiratory protection so that no matter where you work or live, you can make sure the air quality is good for everyone involved.