Whether you are cutting wood as part of a DIY project or you are working with chemicals in your workplace, wearing a mask is often essential to protect yourself from small airborne particles.
There is a large variety of masks available on the market, from respiratory masks to paper dust masks.
But what’s the difference between these masks? Do they all filter out hazardous particles?
While many manufacturers claim that their masks protect your lungs, respirators and dust masks are not the same.
Each has its own correct application, and you will need to know where it is best to use either of these masks.
We take a closer look at dust masks and respirators, and find out what you need to know before buying one.
What’s The Difference Between A Dust Mask And A Respirator?
Masks and respirators come in a range of different designs, but there is one significant difference between these two types of masks.
Dust masks are not approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, whereas respirators are NIOSH-approved.
In addition, Dust masks do not filter the air, whereas respiratory masks filter out any hazardous particles from the air.
The certification is essential as masks without the certificate do not protect the wearer from hazardous and dangerous airborne particles.
As dust masks do not filter the air, they also do not usually receive an approved certificate.
The NIOSH classification indicates how the respirator protects the wearer, depending on its purpose and filtering properties.
For example, you will need a different type of dust mask when you are cutting the grass and want to protect yourself from allergens or pollen, compared to when you are a firefighter and need to protect yourself against heavy wildfire smoke.
The right type of mask you will need depends on what you want to use it for, such as a surgical mask, which is best for the occupational health of those often exposed to disease, and the hazards that you want to protect yourself from, such as debris and other hazards.
What Are Dust Masks?
The name dust mask is often used as an umbrella term for almost any type of mask available on the market.
Dust masks made of paper or other material are also called surgical masks. Surgical masks typically use one or two straps around your ears, so they sit relatively loosely.
Basic dust masks are designed to keep any aerosols or liquid droplets away from your mouth. However, they do not filter any of the air that the wearer breathes in.
They generally stop slightly larger particles and dirt from reaching your mouth and nose, minimizing the risk of breathing them into your lungs.
In addition, dust masks like surgical masks also do not have a facial seal that could keep away any airborne particles coming in through the side.
The closest thing to a seal that they offer is the ability to hug close to the face, making direct contact with the skin, to prevent the wearer from breathing in particles mixed with the oxygen.
This means, dust masks aren’t designed to keep respirable particles out, such as allergens or toxic fumes in smoke.
That’s why, you should not use standard dust masks in workplaces where you require protection against gases and chemicals, and instead in contexts where you need protection from larger hazards and aerosols that could affect your health.
What Are Respirators?
Respirators are masks that contain a type of filter that can filter out any hazardous material from the air.
These particulate filters may be reusable and replaced with a new filter, or they may also be disposable.
This allows the wearer to wear the mask with confidence that they are kept safe from exposure and contact with anything damaging to their health.
What Do Respiratory Masks Cover?
Respiratory masks typically cover your mouth and nose, so there is no gap where airborne particles, such as mists, liquids, fumes, and dust, may be inhaled, as there is no exposure that can affect the efficiency of the mask as it is worn.
This allows you to breathe while the mask is worn without any particulates reaching your nose and affecting your health.
What Makes Respirators So Effective?
Respirators are tested and certified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health based on how much and what they filter out from the air.
There are a number of different ratings that can be applied to respirators depending on what test they passed. The rating is either printed on the packaging or directly onto your mask.
You will find three different markings, including N (not oil-proof), P (oil-proof beyond eight hours) and R (oil-proof up to eight hours).
Each of these three letters also have a number which indicates the particulate filtering. There are three different numbers: 100, 97 and 95.
These numbers relate to the percentage of one-micrometer particulates that were removed from the air during the mask tests.
For example, a rating of 95 means that the filter inside the mask has managed to remove 95% of the particles in the air.
Respiratory masks that contain filters which are rated 100 often have the mark HE or HEPA which means that this filter is a high-efficiency filter.
N95 And P100 Respirators
N95 and P100 respiratory masks are one of the most common and effective filtering masks that you can find on the market.
They have a pair of straps and a tight face seal which does not allow any unwanted particles through.
Depending on the mask design, the whole respirator may be made of filtering material or it contains a large filter which can be replaced.
Both P100 and N95 masks have to be certified by the NIOSH to ensure that these respirators filter out a significant amount of particles.
You can find both respiratory masks in well-stocked hardware stores.
Half-Face And Full-Face Respirators
Depending on the use of your mask, you may need to look for a mask that fully covers your face or that only covers your mouth and nose.
Many P100s and N95s come in a variety of sizes and styles. However, you will need to make sure that you buy a mask with the correct filter properties to ensure that any fumes or gases are filtered out.
Chemical Cartridge/Gas Mask Respirators
Gas masks are specifically designed for extremely hazardous situations where you need carbon-filtering material inside the mask to filter out any vapors, gases or smoke.
These chemical respirators usually contain a replaceable filter cartridge that can be swapped with a new filter after each use.
Such masks have a tight face seal that ensures there is no unfiltered air coming through any gaps, making them great as personal protective equipment.
However, they are best used with people without facial hair, as such hair can affect how the mask sits on the wearer's face.
There are a number of different cartridge filters chemical cartridges (which block out vapors), dual cartridges and PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator with a battery-powered fan).
The exact type of filter cartridge you need in a gas respiratory system depends on the toxins and gases you are going to face.
If you are not sure which one is right, then the dual cartridge filter is the best choice as it contains a P100 particulate filter and a multipurpose chemical filter.
Essential Dust Mask And Respirator Safety Tips
There are a range of different factors you need to consider when choosing the right respirator or mask for you.
Choose The Right Size
Masks come in different sizes, and it is essential that you find a mask that fits you perfectly. It should sit tightly, and there shouldn’t be any vapors or fumes coming through the sides.
Select By Use Case
What type of mask you need depends on how much of the particles in the air you want to filter out.
If you do not want to filter any airborne particles but just want to protect your face from droplets or splashes, then a standard dust mask is fine.
However, if you need a mask that needs to filter fumes, toxins or gases from the air, then it’s essential that you pick a certified mask which has been tested for your purpose.
Final Thoughts
While dust masks are often used to describe any type of respiratory mask, these basic masks do not filter the air.
Only a respirator with an in-built filter will be able to filter out any airborne particles.