mccThat… seems… bad
Is it safe to go outdoors right now if I wear my N95?
clarity flowers@mcc iirc when it comes to smoke you really want an N99 to actually be safe, so I'd still try to avoid the trip if possible, but the N95 will -help- if going outside is necesssary
@mcc bummer
@clarity @karen Where would I even get n99 or pXX masks? The *only* masks I wear are 3M Auras because they have a foam nosebridge feature no one else has and this is the *only* thing I've found that keeps my glasses from fogging up until I'm blinded (a wire is not enough). Nut I think those come in N95 only.
Zimmie@mcc @clarity @karen N99 and any P rating are generally respirator filters rather than disposable masks. N is for non-oily particles, and P is for oily or non-oily. For 3M respirators which take replaceable filters, P100 filters are common and pretty cheap. I’m a fan of their 7093 (for the 6000-series respirators) and D9093 (for Secure Click respirators, a newer design).
@mcc @clarity @karen Yes, you would only buy the respirator body once, then you use consumable filters. The filter cartridges I mentioned are densely pleated, so they flow pretty well and last a long time.
Yes, P100 is a stricter filtration standard than N95 or N99. N95 removes 95% of 0.3 micron particles. N99 removes 99%. P3 R removes 99.95%. P100 removes 99.97%. Filters good enough to meet it may be more expensive than N95 or N99, but P100 is also widely considered the minimum acceptable standard for occupational use, so they’re made in bulk.
Respirator filters are also available with additional layers, like activated charcoal to handle “nuisance-level organic vapors” (unpleasant smells, but not fumes at levels which could risk health).
viq@bob_zim @mcc @clarity @karen FWIW, I have 3M 7500 and GVS Elipse. 7500 is softer on face and easier to put on and take off. GVS is easier to put away, a bit harder to breathe in, but easier to breathe out, which I prefer. In both I have P100/FFP3 filters.
The "plastic" part you just wear and every once in a while clean, possibly change straps that wear out. And filters you replace as necessary.
The "plastic" part you just wear and every once in a while clean, possibly change straps that wear out. And filters you replace as necessary.
@viq @mcc @clarity @karen Yeah, when COVID started, I went with a 6200 instead of the 7500 so I could add a source control filter. 3M’s Secure Click line has a “speaking diaphragm” which really does make a big difference in how well others can understand you when you speak.
I haven’t personally used a GVS Elipse, but I hear it’s nice.
@bob_zim @mcc @clarity @karen I know 7500 is considerably softer than 6200. GVS Elipse is harder than 7500, but I don't know how it compares to 6200.
3M go low and to the sides, offering mostly unobstructed view along your nose, but blocking view and some movement with where the filters are. Elipse doesn't get in the way of tilting your head down and moving it around, but you do have a "beak" to look around for stuff immediately in front of you and down.
3M go low and to the sides, offering mostly unobstructed view along your nose, but blocking view and some movement with where the filters are. Elipse doesn't get in the way of tilting your head down and moving it around, but you do have a "beak" to look around for stuff immediately in front of you and down.
@bob_zim @mcc @clarity @karen and, FWIW, just to put it out there: to my knowledge, for non-industrial uses, the advice for when to change filters is: when it becomes hard to breathe through them, or they're filthy. As far as particulate matter goes, their effectiveness *increases* with time.
Forest fire smoke, I'd have to look up whether adding a layer for absorbing additional stuff is useful, and how to work with those.
Forest fire smoke, I'd have to look up whether adding a layer for absorbing additional stuff is useful, and how to work with those.
@viq @mcc @clarity @karen My memory is wildfire smoke is about 20:80 oily:non, with most of the corrosive ash in the non-oily component. An N95 filter is definitely loads better than nothing, a P filter is better.
The additional filter layers don’t matter for wildfires, they can just be a nice option for everyday use. Especially when the road outside is being resurfaced, for example.