Dust mask advice

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SteveJ - 27 Apr 2006 11:28 GMT

I recently started a new job within the company I've worked at for six
years.
The job was advertised as a floor cover and window dressing measurer\
estimator.
Since starting this job my employers have decided that they need me to
cut carpets on a daily basis.
I pointed out the fact that I'm asthmatic and this would be a problem
for me.
They said they would take medical advice but in the meantime I would
have to cut them. I cut carpets for two days solid and have now had to
take time off because my breathing became laboured and painful.
Anyway I've a feeling that when I return to work they will still want
me to cut the carpets, So I will need a good quality dust mask
suitable for asthmatics and that won't inhibit my breathing.
The ones I've used around the house when painting or sanding are only
suitable to wear for short periods in my experience.
Any help appreciated
Steve

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Ted Edwards - 27 Apr 2006 22:46 GMT

> me to cut the carpets, So I will need a good quality dust mask
> suitable for asthmatics and that won't inhibit my breathing.

I have on made by U.S. Safety that has two replaceable filter canisters
with dust independently replaceable filters on the front of the
canisters. It also is valved so that you exhale through a different
port than you inhale through. I have been able to wear it for quite
long periods without distress. Go to http://www.ussafety.com/ and click
on respiratory. Mine looks like the one at top left. I chose the
Silicone and am glad I did.

Ted

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Jeffery - 28 Apr 2006 07:37 GMT

Steve,

The last thing you should be doing is cutting carpets as they are full of
House Dust Mite. Wearing a mask will help keep the dust from the lungs but
I found that I could not wear one as, breathing through the mouth, the
dampness in the breathed out air made the mask stick and therefore made
breathing almost impossible.

The simplest solution is to change jobs but not always possible. Here in
England there are contracts of employment and if you were not employed to
cut carpets you could legally refuse - although I suspect you would still
lose the job but on some other excuse. Still you could then sue the
employer I suppose.

Here's wishing you well,
Jeffery.

>I recently started a new job within the company I've worked at for six
> years.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Any help appreciated
> Steve

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Michael Halliwell - 28 Apr 2006 07:38 GMT

> I recently started a new job within the company I've worked at for six
> years.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Any help appreciated
> Steve

There are some really good products out there. Go to a local safety
supply shop and lay out your delemma for them. They can likely find
something in a 1/2 mask respirator with a good filter (or
cartridge/filter combo, depending on your needs) or one of the newer
hybrid style dust masks that will be comfortable for longer wear and
give you the protection you need from the triggers you're facing.

Michael Halliwell

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Alison Chaiken - 29 Apr 2006 05:43 GMT

>They can likely find something in a 1/2 mask respirator

What about dust mites in the eyes? Would this cause a problem in the
case of allergies?

For a while I wore a 3M-brand dust mask at work while handling objects
covered with toxics. As a healthy and relatively fit person, I found
it difficult: even after 10 or 15 minutes, I was conscious of the
extra effort that breathing required with the mask.

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Michael Halliwell - 30 Apr 2006 21:34 GMT

>>They can likely find something in a 1/2 mask respirator
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> it difficult: even after 10 or 15 minutes, I was conscious of the
> extra effort that breathing required with the mask.

Myself, I work in a variety of different circumstances that can be a
real pain for my asthma (I'm an environmental engineer). For the eyes,
there are a couple different options in goggles or there are always full
face respirators. Generally, I go with the full face so I don't need to
mess with goggles and a half-mask. It is a more expensive option, but
in some circumstances it works best.

If you are referring to a regular (paper or fabric) dust mask, I'm
thinking it wasn't up to the task. A typical dust mask is is classified
as a N95 (or non oil resistive and removing 95% of the particles down to
a certain size). At the very least, I prefer a P100 (oil proof, removes
99.95% of the particles....formerly called a HEPA filter). If you're
dealing with something with "toxics" there could be more to it than just
particles....perhaps a filter and cartridge combo is needed (though
there is a slight penalty in breathing resistance).

I find that if the mask is doing its job and the triggers aren't getting
through, there is not usually a major problem in breathing resistance.
Of course, you can't get away from an increase in resistance with this
sort of mask as your lungs power the purification process. A powered
air purifying respirator (PAPR) would certainly reduce the resistance,
but they cost more, need batteries charged, are heavier and so forth.

Just some additional toughts,

Michael H

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Alison Chaiken - 01 May 2006 00:56 GMT

I wrote:

>> For a while I wore a 3M-brand dust mask at work while handling
>> objects covered with toxics. As a healthy and relatively fit
>> person, I found it difficult: even after 10 or 15 minutes, I was
>> conscious of the extra effort that breathing required with the
>> mask.

> If you are referring to a regular (paper or fabric) dust mask, I'm
> thinking it wasn't up to the task.

The one I have looks like this although it's 3M brand:

http://www.websoft-solutions.net/North_safety_respirator_Air_Purifying_respirato
r_p/no-7700ser.htm

> I find that if the mask is doing its job and the triggers aren't
> getting through, there is not usually a major problem in breathing
> resistance. Of course, you can't get away from an increase in
> resistance with this sort of mask as your lungs power the
> purification process.

After 15 or so minutes of using the mask, I feel a bit tired. My
chest expansion muscles feel a bit fatigued despite the fact that I
exercise regularly. A normally fit person wearing such a mask for a
few hours would be exhausted, I suspect.

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Michael Halliwell - 05 May 2006 07:41 GMT

> I wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> exercise regularly. A normally fit person wearing such a mask for a
> few hours would be exhausted, I suspect.

I'd make sure that the filter or cartridge you're using is the right one
for the toxics as well....we use the same ones at work (particulates,
asbestos, organic vapours...all sorts of stuff) but we also have a
pretty good selection of cartridges and filters to combat the pollutant
we're working with.

As I said, though, there is no way to get rid of all the increase in
breathing resistance...your lungs are what are drawing the air through
the purifying media.

Michael

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tony broughton - 29 Apr 2006 11:58 GMT

> I pointed out the fact that I'm asthmatic and this would be a problem
> for me.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Any help appreciated
> Steve

The problem is that the dust mite allergen has a very small particle
size - down to fractions of a micron - so you need an extremely fine
filter, and most dust marks just won't filter that small. Also be aware that
carpets (especially new ones) are loaded with toxic chemicals,
so it's not just the dust mite you have to worry about. In fact
the chemicals and dust are probably a bigger problem in brand new carpet.

In your situation I would do anything to get another job.
An employer that kidded you on you'd be doing a different job at
the job interview when they need a carpet cutter isn't worth working
for. I expect that they can't get someone to do the job.

In fact, I'd say it's better to be unemployed than to do that job.
If you do it any length of time it might seriously damage your health.
You don't want to end up on an oxygen cylinder for the sake of some
crappy job.

Tony

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Tamara - 26 May 2006 18:38 GMT

Look and see if you can find a mask that has a carbon filter I found
one at a store that specializes in Allergy equipment. It might do the
job.

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