I admit I do not have much knowledge on this front, so I would like to ask knowledge here from others for best options to reduce. While I know there is no perfect solution truly, what could be a good resource for reducing?

  • psud@aussie.zoneEnglish
    0·
    1 day ago

    During covid I settled on 3M p2 respirators. They’re certified PPE but are disposable. The only BIFL options are things that use a positive pressure mask with a pump and replaceable filter and masks with a replaceable filter or two in the front

    Both of the replaceable filter styles use filters that mass more than the disposable respirators, but last longer between replacement

    Regular usage is much lighter than industrial, all filters last longer filtering town air than they do in a factory

    During covid I used one p2 respirator for weeks before it became unable to seal, actually I used three to give them a chance to dry completely between uses

    The masks with external filters make you look like you’re expecting a gas attack; the disposable masks look like you have a cold you don’t want to share

  • solrize@lemmy.mlEnglish
    0·
    1 day ago

    Filter elements are consumables, though for heavier particulates you can wash them. Finer particulate filters rely on electrostatic charge to the filter that gets messed up more easily.

    Also, if you’re talking about wildfire smoke, sleeping with a mask on is not very nice. You want some kind of powered filtration in your living space, if you have electricity. Look up “Corsi-Rosenthal box” for a DIY method using a box fan and furnace filters.

    • foxymochakitten@slrpnk.netEnglish
      0·
      24 hours ago

      I have a powerful air purifier inside my home, but for leaving it, I would really like to protect my lungs from particulates (my area is being hit hard by wildfires right now). Is my best option just buying and wearing KN95s like usual or is there something better I could get and buy a box of filters for?

      • solrize@lemmy.mlEnglish
        0·
        23 hours ago

        For particulates you should use a real N95 instead of KN95. If you want something more permanent try a half-face or full-face respirator with replaceable cartridges. I have a 3M 6297 (https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b10013131/ ). I’m not convinced the particulate reduction is any better than an N95, but it’s easier to get a good seal and easier to breathe through, and gives more odor reduction. If doing it again I’d probably get the style with the trapezoid shaped cartridges (https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005625039/) instead of the round ones, since there are more choices of cartridges for different classes of contaminant. As an extra benefit, it gets you the stylish Darth Vader look. You can get them at hardware stores or Home Depot since painters and so on use them. I got mine at Office Depot. I think it was $25 or so including a pair of P100 cartridges.

        The filter cartridges last a pretty long time but they are way more expensive than N95’s, like $10 a pair maybe? IDR, it’s been a while.

        Don’t worry about N95 vs N100/P100, there really isn’t much difference under testing. Look up Aaron Collins’ youtube channel for a gazillion mask tests from 2020 or so. N95 vs P95 shouldn’t matter since the P designates oil resistance which isn’t relevant here.

        Here are 3M’s full face respirators which is the next step up from half face: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/ppe/respiratory-protection/reusable-respirators/full-face/

        I don’t have one but sort of wanted one some time back.

        At least on my 6297, it looks pretty easy to convert it to a powered respirator (PAPR) by removing the cartridges and connecting an air hose to the cartridge ports to deliver filtered air from wherever.