<blockquote>
  <h3>Disclaimer</h3>
  
  <p>I've tried to make sure what's in this answer is accurate. However, when doing any work that can affect your own safety, always carry out your own risk assessment and consult a professional about what protective equipment you need. <strong>This is not professional advice.</strong></p>
</blockquote>

<p>You're looking at three major types of respiratory protection (well, 4 if you really go down the serious end). They're illustrated nicely by <a href="http://www.safetysupplies.co.uk/trolleyed/respiratory-protection/" rel="nofollow">this page</a>.</p>

<ul>
<li><p><strong>Dust masks</strong><br>
These are basically large-particulate filters. They're good at filtering out dust, sawdust and chippings, but you should <em>never</em> use these for chemical work - the filter just won't catch them.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Fine-filter half-masks</strong><br>
These vary much more. They're essentially the modern-day equivalent of a gas attack-mask. If you're buying one of these, talk to the store personnel about what protection it offers - some are large-particulate filter-based, others are fine-filter-based and will filter out smaller stuff, even down to chemicals.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Powered respirators</strong><br>
These actively filter what's in the air to remove harmful substances. Again, the quality varies, as does the battery life.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>And finally, for if you're doing really dangerous work (such as work with airborne toxins) or you're paranoid about breathing chemicals, you can get a full oxygen system such as that used by firefighters or divers. That has the advantage that if the mask is intact, you get ~100% filtering; it has the disadvantage of being clumsy, heavy, and difficult to fit correctly.</p>

<p>Whatever equipment you get, make sure you get it from a competent reputable supplier, such as 3M.</p>

<p>And finally, when doing work with chemicals, you need to look for eye protection too - many of the chemicals that can damage your respiratory system can also damage your eyes.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-01T12:02:04.933Z
2016-05-01T12:11:48.463Z
2016-05-01T12:11:48.463Z
Åna
<p>The main things that I am looking for in a protective mask are:</p>

<ol>
<li>Filter efficiency: the less chemicals I breath in, the better.</li>
<li>Comfortable and lightweight: I need to wear it for several hours straight without taking it off, having little to none odors inside.</li>
<li>Strongly positioned: i.e. an occasional touch by my arm will not make it fall off or open gaps.</li>
</ol>

<p>I also wonder if full-face masks and/or respirators are preferable in this case. If I am missing some key points, I'd like to read details from the more experienced users.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-18T21:10:22.863Z
Also don't forget that the main problem with solvents is skin contact. the solvent  gets absorbed into the bloodstream if the skin is not covered/insulated..
Reed -SE is a Fish on Dry Land
<safety>
What kind of mask effectively protects from spray or turpentine/solvents chemicals?
Armfoot
# What kind of mask effectively protects from spray or turpentine/solvents chemicals?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-30)

The main things that I am looking for in a protective mask are:

1. Filter efficiency: the less chemicals I breath in, the better.
2. Comfortable and lightweight: I need to wear it for several hours straight without taking it off, having little to none odors inside.
3. Strongly positioned: i.e. an occasional touch by my arm will not make it fall off or open gaps.

I also wonder if full-face masks and/or respirators are preferable in this case. If I am missing some key points, I'd like to read details from the more experienced users.

**Tags:** safety

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Also don't forget that the main problem with solvents is skin contact. the solvent  gets absorbed into the bloodstream if the skin is not covered/insulated..  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-05-01. Score: 3

> ### Disclaimer
>
> I've tried to make sure what's in this answer is accurate. However, when doing any work that can affect your own safety, always carry out your own risk assessment and consult a professional about what protective equipment you need. **This is not professional advice.**

You're looking at three major types of respiratory protection (well, 4 if you really go down the serious end). They're illustrated nicely by [this page](http://www.safetysupplies.co.uk/trolleyed/respiratory-protection/).

* **Dust masks**  
  These are basically large-particulate filters. They're good at filtering out dust, sawdust and chippings, but you should *never* use these for chemical work - the filter just won't catch them.
* **Fine-filter half-masks**  
  These vary much more. They're essentially the modern-day equivalent of a gas attack-mask. If you're buying one of these, talk to the store personnel about what protection it offers - some are large-particulate filter-based, others are fine-filter-based and will filter out smaller stuff, even down to chemicals.
* **Powered respirators**  
  These actively filter what's in the air to remove harmful substances. Again, the quality varies, as does the battery life.

And finally, for if you're doing really dangerous work (such as work with airborne toxins) or you're paranoid about breathing chemicals, you can get a full oxygen system such as that used by firefighters or divers. That has the advantage that if the mask is intact, you get ~100% filtering; it has the disadvantage of being clumsy, heavy, and difficult to fit correctly.

Whatever equipment you get, make sure you get it from a competent reputable supplier, such as 3M.

And finally, when doing work with chemicals, you need to look for eye protection too - many of the chemicals that can damage your respiratory system can also damage your eyes.


---

