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Could anyone please explain why we don't have commercially viable gas mask-style full-face respirators with replaceable filter cartridges? The problem with th
by john_moscow 5y ago
Could anyone please explain why we don't have commercially viable gas mask-style full-face respirators with replaceable filter cartridges?
The problem with the regular masks is that a huge amount of air still goes around them. You can do an experiment - firmly push a KN95 respirator into your face with 4 fingers and try breathing through it. You'll feel more resistance, you'll actually smell the filtering material, you'll see how the mask puffs up when you exhale. You let go and most of these effects go away, as the air is just going between the mask and your face.
P.S. I was researching the topic before taking a longish flight, looking to minimize my chance of catching COVID before a tropical vacation to ~0% and was rather astounded that full-face masks, like the gas ones aren't even allowed in the airports. I didn't catch COVID that time, but I wonder how much transmission could we cut off if we offered something like this in places where people are forced to sit together for prolonged time.
- goodside 5y agoWe do. Masks exactly like the ones you’re describing are widely sold in hardware stores. They’re properly known as elastomeric respirators. They’re clunky, hideous, and they greatly impair communication far more than a disposable N95 or KN95. Nobody wants them for daily use. Also, because they’re almost invariably sold for use in construction and carpentry, not medical settings, they use exhale vents. Some people think this is a big problem, and dismiss these respirators as a class because of it. Respirators without exhale valves, as well as ones with voice diaphragms for speech, are also available for medical use, but these are unusual and AFAIK didn’t exist before Covid.
- drjasonharrison 5y agoHowever they are great for not fogging glasses.
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- WillPostForFood 5y ago>Could anyone please explain why we don't have commercially viable gas mask-style full-face respirators with replaceable filter cartridges? Home depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Parcil-Safety-Full-Face-Organic-Vapor-Respirator-and-Gas-Mask-with-2-Bayonet-Style-P-A-3-Replacement-Filters-PD-101/314851510 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Parcil-Safety-Full-Face-Organic-... I don't think most people want, need, or would tolerate something that extreme though. KN95 or N95 is good enough.
- Animats 5y agoThere's "GVS SPR644 ELIPSE P100 Elastomeric Half Mask Respirator with Source Control for Healthcare Professionals", which is about $25. Covers mouth and nose but not eyes. The filters can be replaced. It looks like a painting respirator, but it's much lighter, because it doesn't have the volatile organics cartridge for removing paint solvents, just a P100 filter. It's good for exercising, because it has less backpressure than a 3M 8210 Plus. Anything that doesn't fit tightly is useless for protecting yourself. If you inhale and you don't feel the mask pulled against your face, it's not working.
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- drjasonharrison 5y ago"regular masks" which just ear loops or NIOSH N95 with straps that go around the back of your head? "regular masks" that you buy and put on or NIOSH N95 masks with a proper fit test to make sure you have the correct size and are wearing it correctly. You can make a mask fit tighter with a mask brace or mask seal. https://making.engr.wisc.edu/mask-fitter/ https://making.engr.wisc.edu/mask-fitter/