How Often Should You Change Your -? Disposable respirators are called -. However,it’s different from the normal- in a way that it can provide more respiratory protection coverage. While the normal single-strappedcan provide general dust protection such as during leaf blowing or household dust protection can protect airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

NIOSH has established a guideline which says that can be reused given that the person is exposed to dust levels less than 200 mg in the span of 8 hours and if the person isn’t working on a biosafety lab. Conditions requiring replacement you usually know by instinct when it is time to replace. But if you’re not sure,here are the situations that call for a worker to change his/her dust mask.

Over time,the continuous use can lead to it being soiled or contaminated. When become soiled enough,it can hinder with the ability to block off the incoming dust. Moreover,it can also make breathing become difficult since less clean air will be able to pass through the filter.

Respirators usually become easily soiled when the user just puts down anywhere when not in use. Damaged can easily become damaged due to its poor frame integrity. When there are not properly taken care of,it could become deformed. Holes can contribute greatly to its ineffectiveness to provide full protection to its wearer since it can easily allow dirty air to go through the mask and into the nose which it can easily be breathed in.

Broken straps on the dust masks are also an indication that need replacing. Even if you try fixing it,it’s the ability to completely protect you becomes compromised. It’s better to change it than to risk getting airborne diseases.

Shared is one of the biggest no-no’s when it comes to ineffectiveness. Germs from other people can easily cling on to the surface and it could easily get transferred to you. Even if you’re okay with sharing dust masks with other people, NIOSH strongly discourages you to do this and used for 8-10 hours straight even if the mask isn’t dirty,if you used it for 8 to 10 hours straight,you should consider changing it. Chances are,a lot of invisible germs may have clung to it without you knowing.

Respirator protection is one of the easiest protection you can give yourself. If you feel like you need changing,don’t hesitate to dispose of it and grab yourself a new one. For more questions,feel free to call us or send us a message and we’ll be happy to address your inquiry as soon as we can.