Choices in Breathing Protection
Most woodworkers recognize the benefit and necessity of protecting themselves in the shop from air-borne dust and particles. The trick is finding the right protection that does the best job and is easy enough to use so that we WILL use it. We've given you information on four types of masks that we offer to help you choose the best for you.
The basic N95 disposable mask is recognizable to all of us. Reasonably priced for about $1.75 a piece they're the most common type of dust protection in use. With a 95% filter efficiency on 3 micron particles, they do the job.Â
Lightweight, they feature a soft, foam strip that fits over the nose with an outer, flexible metal strip that allows a custom-fit for a tight seal. These combine to help reduce the potential for eyewear to fog. The elastic bands on our masks are stapled to wide flanges on the outside of the mask that fit tight to the face for increased comfort and a better seal.Â
A step up in comfort are masks from Dust Bee Gone. The mask is made from a patented, interlaced mono-filament polyester structure that’s effective against non-toxic dusts down to 3 microns in size. The woven polyester allows for hot air to pass through easily, so glasses, goggles or face masks don’t fog. They are priced higher than disposables, ranging around $40 each, but are available in three sizes to best fit the user.Â
Unlike disposable masks, the Dust Bee Gone fits comfortably over all face types thanks to it's adjustable nose piece and secures easily via the adjustable straps. They are also washable. Just swish it around in some soapy water, rinse it out and let it dry over night, it'll be ready to work the next time you are. Skip the drying time and wear it wet to keep you cool in a hot shop. When cleaned regularly and taken care of, the Dust Bee Gone should provide years of dust protection in your shop.
To step up the protection, we offer the M2 masks from RZMask. The M2 utilizes a highly breathable, comfortable, and durable mesh fabric construction that helps to keep you cool on even the hottest summer days. It features a single strap hook-and-loop closure, aiding in quick installation and removal of the mask.
Active carbon replaceable filters remove 99.9% of particles down to 0.1 microns in size. (Life expectancy of the filters is 30-40+ hours of continuous use in light dust exposure.) Washable and Reusable, they also use dual one-way discharge valves to reduce moisture inside the mask. Teh adjustable nose clip eliminates any fogging of your glasses and they are offered in three sizes for a personalized fit. Priced around $36 for 1.
For ultimate dust protection we offer the Elipse Integra Respirator Mask. Elipse respirators are compact, lightweight and have a flexible design that adapts and fits perfectly to the face and offers a full range of vision without interfering with other eye or ear protections that users choose to wear.
A large central non-return valve allows for a reduction of breathing resistance for the user and keeps moisture build-up inside the mask to a minimum. The lightweight, non-slip strap is easily adjusted in 4 positions for improved comfort and to allow safe use even in high humidity or wet conditions.
We offer both the Elipse (dust mask) and the Elipse Integra (dust mask with goggles). Both are available in 2 sizes. The lens on the Elipse Integra is designed in Polycarbonate and can withstand 120 m per second impacts. The coating applied meets (N) Anti Fog and exceeds the standard (K) anti-scratch coating seen on the market for longer durability.
The interchangeable P100 filters included with the masks have a minimum efficiency of 99.97% for 0.3 microns and a breathing resistance of 3 mbars at a flow rate of 47.5. Priced at $37, or $70 with goggles.
As you can see, we've got a few options for you to choose from. Regardless of which you choose, remember to use them and protect yourself for a long woodworking life!
