Five Different Dust Mask Types & When To Use Them

Five Different Dust Mask Types & When To Use Them

With the large variety of masks available on the market, including surgical masks and medical procedure masks, it can be tough to find the right one that works for your job and requirements.

For instance, you may need one with oil resistance, or one that presents heat build-up, or maybe even one that is niosh approved.

Niosh approved respirators are very effective, so make sure to look out for niosh approved respirators.

What are disposable masks, and what do you need them for? Or when should you use a safety mask with a filter rather than a simple face covering like a disposable mask?

There are dust masks that handle some basic jobs like protecting the mask wearer against pollen and large particle dust.

There are different classes of filter. There are three classes.

Other respirators protect you against more hazardous materials, including asbestos, masonry, wood-based, and even welding dust. Partiuclate filters are great for keeping you safe.

Finding the right mask depends on what hazard you face in the workplace and how well you want it to fit when you wear masks.

If you work in disease control, you need the right kind of mask. Maybe even one with exhalation valves. Exhalation valves are incredibly effective.

A good mask provides an exhalation valve or purifying air fan as well as a tight face seal, and even a disposable mask can do this.

We take a closer look at five mask types and when you should use them.

1. Disposable Safety Face Masks

Five Different Dust Mask Types & When To Use

Disposable safety masks that cover your nose and mouth are some of the most commonly masks used when doing DIY tasks, and are important for occupational safety.

They can even be used when performing certain medical procedures.

These disposable respirators with a tight seal can filter out some air pollutants, such as allergens like smoke.

It’s essential to fit the face mask properly to ensure that the seal sits snug against your skin, even with facial hair present.

This prevents anything entering the masks through any gaps, and it ensures proper protection.

Safety face respirators are extremely lightweight, easy to put on and they are also inexpensive.

However, for the right level of protection, it is important that anyone wearing these face masks has a proper face fit test.

In addition, these masks are designed as one size, so it can be difficult to get the right fit which can lead to misting or leakage.

Although these face masks are a quick solution if you need a face covering with a filter, over a longer period of time, disposable safety masks are expensive.

There are generally three types of semi-disposable and disposable face masks which are categorized into classifications based on filtration level and leakage.

The filtration level is indicated in percentage, and it is the rate at which the face mask filters out any airborne stuff, such as smoke.

The inward leakage rate is also indicated in percentage, and it shows the rate at which the exhalation valve and the face seal of the face mask have been leaking.

These face masks are categorized into P1, P2 and P3. The disposable respirators also have an FF marking which stands for filtering facepiece.

FFP1 Masks

Safety respirators with a P1 class marking can be used in workplaces or environments where non-toxic and non-fibrogenic dust is present.

Disposable FFP1 face masks can filter coal, cement, brick dust, gypsum, plaster, sugar, pollen and limestone.

These face masks have the least amount of filtration capabilities, so they do not help to filter out a lot of different things from the air.

However, the advantage with P1 respirators is that you do not need an exhalation valve, provided they do not have a loose fitting.

FFP2 Masks

A respirator with a P2 classification can help protect the wearer from any solid particles, harmful liquids, smoke, hay, granite dust, cotton and softwood dust.

Some masks with an FFP2 rating also contain a layer of activated charcoal. This protects your health specifically against welding dust.

FFP3 Masks

Face masks and respirators with a P3, or FFP3 marking, provides the highest protection against any harmful particles and toxic fumes, including asbestos, masonry dust such as silica and wood-based particles.

If you have an FFP3 face mask that is well fitted then this can protect you against a range of particles, including some radioactive material.

Loose fitting makes are highly ineffective, and you will want to aim for a proper fit for better protection.

Masks can be even more effective when worn in combination with a face shield, as they offer protection that is even more effective.

These face masks contain a thick filter material as well as an exhalation valve which is integrated into the mask, further bringing protection to your health.

2. Fabric Face Mask

Five Different Dust Mask Types & When ToUse

Simple surgical masks that only cover your mouth and nose are some of the lightest face masks on the market, and they are held to the face via ear loops, making them nice and simple.

As well as this, they provide reliable access to clean air and plenty of protection.

This type of mask does not typically filter any airborne particles and it should only be used when you need to protect yourself from non-hazardous materials, such as liquids or splashes.

Although face masks are used for some basic DIY and gardening tasks, such as protecting yourself from inhaling any solid particles or splashes in proper use, they do not provide protection for the wearer against, smoke and any oil-based aerosols and other respiratory hazards, this can make them unhelpful for extended periods where the nose and mouth may be exposed to stuff in the air, especially without a good seal.

It is important that a mask is worn properly, as it protects the user from the surrounding environment, making them perfect for healthcare personnel, healthcare workers, and healthcare settings.

Only respirators with a special filter material or a separate filter cartridge are able to filter out particles from the air to provide greater protection.

The gaps in the mask created by the ear loops may allow certain things in, hence why these masks need to be worn in the right context.

3. Reusable Dust Masks With Replacement Filters

Five Different Dust Mask Types

Another popular type of mask are reusable masks which contain a replacement filter. These filters have to be tested and approved by government institutions to ensure that the level of protection is adequate and that the masks help to minimize exposure to contaminants.

The advantage of replaceable filters is that you do not have to dispose of the entire mask but you just swap out the filter with a new one once the other doesn’t work anymore.

As these face masks can be reused over a longer period of time, the face seal can adjust properly to the contours of the wearer’s face while still minimizing exposure and protecting the nose and the mouth.

This makes them perfect for wearing on public transport, or even for occupational safety and health.

This means that the mask can have a much tighter fit than with other masks. This is beneficial to your health, keeping it from being exposure to harm.

In addition, there are a wide range of replaceable filter cartridges available for different uses, so you can choose to repurpose your mask, if necessary.

Thanks to the reusable design, you only need to maintain your mask and buy the different types of filters, which makes it much more cost-effective over time, and makes them perfect for those that need to concern themselves with occupational safety and health.

Thanks to the flexibility of the filtration system, you can use a reusable filter mask for a large variety of applications, including protecting your nose against vapors, and toxic smoke in the air, further protecting your health.

You will want to replace the filters regularly with new filtration material for better filter efficiency.

Filtration efficiency is crucial for reducing the breathing resistance of a mask, so make sure to check the filtration efficiency of any mask you try.

4. Reusable Respirators With A Non-Replaceable Filter

Five Different DustMask Types

Reusable masks that contain a non-replaceable filter are also called semi-disposable masks.

These masks often have a combination filter inside which protects the wearer against airborne and vapor particles as well as gases.

As the filters are sewn into the mask, they cannot be replaced or swapped with other filters. This means you cannot put any filter inside, and you will need to choose the correct reusable mask with the appropriate filter.

With the different mask and filter combinations available, you need to choose your mask based on its use when you are wearing it.

There are reusable masks with filtration cartridges that filter out particles and organic vapors from the air as you are wearing them, while others protect also against more hazardous chemicals found in laboratories or building sites.

The advantage of these masks is that they can last a long time and they do not need a maintenance record like a mask with a reusable filter.

In addition, the mask can be fitted to the wearer’s face tightly, so that there is proper protection provided as they are wearing it, protecting them from things in the air.

5. Fan Powered Air Purifying Dust Masks

FiveDifferent Dust Mask Types & When To Use Them

If you need to ensure that you are fully protected against any type of toxins, vapors and chemical fumes, then wearing an air purifying respiratory mask that has a fan is the best option.

The battery-powered fan ensures that the air inside the mask always stays clean. These masks are also called PAPR systems.

Final Thoughts

The protection of our eyes, nose and mouth can make a big difference to our long term health when we are exposed to hazardous materials in our workplace.

That’s why, it is essential to wear the right dust mask suitable for your job and your health.


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