I need to fly for work. Is there any consensus about effectiveness of face masks to resist the virus? I have a P95 mask available to me.

know of a dr that is starting a new position and was required to get a TB test before starting at the new hospital(normal). She had her N95 mask on but they made her put another mask over it because..."the N95 mask will protect you but not us". That seems odd to me.

coolerguy12 said:

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Wrighty said:

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I need to fly for work. Is there any consensus about effectiveness of face masks to resist the virus? I have a P95 mask available to me.

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How old are you and how is your health? Need to know these before we know how effective your mask will be.

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was it her personal n95 or had she been fit tested and the mask assigned? Also, its a every 2 year process. If it was her personal, that would be standard medical facility practice or protocol.

Don't mean to derail but have a quick question. What type of mask is appropriate to prevent inhalation of herbicides during application? One is mixed in water. The other is mixed in diesel fuel. We spray mesquite with a 200 gal PTO driven sprayer. I'd like to make sure we are wearing effective PPE. My dad has a Honeywell 4500-30M but boy is it hot. Thanks for your advice.

dr_boogs said:

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Don't mean to derail but have a quick question. What type of mask is appropriate to prevent inhalation of herbicides during application? One is mixed in water. The other is mixed in diesel fuel. We spray mesquite with a 200 gal PTO driven sprayer. I'd like to make sure we are wearing effective PPE. My dad has a Honeywell 4500-30M but boy is it hot. Thanks for your advice.

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You need a cartridge for that respirator that provides protection for solid and oil based particles (P100) and organic vapors (OV). Honestly, you should be wearing that full-face respirator as it also protects your eyes. Yes, they are hot as hell to wear but give the best protection with a proper fit test. Paper face masks do not provide the protection you need against the herbicide active ingredients.

This one covers that and is reasonably priced and should fit your mask: https://gemplers.com/collections/safety-personal-protective-clothing-equipment-respiratory-protection/products/north-multi-gas-p100-respirator-cartridge

Cartridge number is: 75SCP100L if you want to check other suppliers as they are backordered on Gemplers. Cartridge number 7581P100 also provides P100/OV protection. The other gases listed for 75SCP100L are not important for your use.


I use 3M products so with their full-face respirator the cartridge is #60921.

Preferably a P100 or N100 (not recommenbed for oil based particulates), if you can find them.

I would recommend the P100 like poster abov. Just ensure a good seal and pay close attention to SDS recommended threshold limit value if you can't ensure a good seal.

oneeyedag said:

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Risk and Safety guy here who also does both quantitative and qualitative fit testing. Since this **** started I have probably qualitative fit tested 100 plus EMS, Fire and LEOs. Of those, I have failed probably 20 that I required medical clearance to continue. Others, failed due to facial hair.

The mask you are touting is effective for you, but since it has a valve for easier exhalation, others not so much. The 3M P95 8271 (assuming that's what your wearing) was designed for Miners, Silica workers oil/non oil or those that work around lots of dust or particulates.

Is it effective yes, will it fit your needs absolutely and personally more comfy than the medical grade N95 or p100 that I would normally wear.

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Curious, I have a dental hygienist friend who got one of these to wear since she had a hard time breathing through the mask all day. Does this do anything to the effectiveness of the mask?



https://www.easyflowusa.com/

Honestly first time I've seen anything like that going around.

Looks like a poor man's version of a PAPR system minus the hood/head top system. I would certainly have issues regarding the seal and ability to block droplets and splashes from dental procedures especially if she cut her own hole.

If it were me doing a safety audit, I would highly recommend a face shield versus safety glasses or goggles. Secondly, as a hygienists she should be comfortable wearing a surgical mask.

From a risk perspective if she were to get splashed, metal projections etc., did the employer "faithfully" protect her?

Refer to 1910.133 and especially 1910.1030 and 1910.130 (d)(3)(i) and (ii)

oneeyedag said:

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Honestly first time I've seen anything like that going around.

Looks like a poor man's version of a PAPR system minus the hood/head top system. I would certainly have issues regarding the seal and ability to block droplets and splashes from dental procedures especially if she cut her own hole.

If it were me doing a safety audit, I would highly recommend a face shield versus safety glasses or goggles. Secondly, as a hygienists she should be comfortable wearing a surgical mask.

From a risk perspective if she were to get splashed, metal projections etc., did the employer "faithfully" protect her?

Refer to 1910.133 and especially 1910.1030 and 1910.130 (d)(3)(i) and (ii)

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I think they are/were requiring an n95, which is why she was having trouble. Not a surgical mask. And full time, not just with patients. I also saw a pic of her in a face shield, so she has that as well. I hadn't seen a device like this either, and was curious if it would work.

Wrighty said:

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I need to fly for work. Is there any consensus about effectiveness of face masks to resist the virus? I have a P95 mask available to me.

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Do you have a weakened immune system due to age and/or medical conditions? If no, don't worry about it. Odds are higher you'll die from the plane crashing than COVID.

Aggie95 said:

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know of a dr that is starting a new position and was required to get a TB test before starting at the new hospital(normal). She had her N95 mask on but they made her put another mask over it because..."the N95 mask will protect you but not us". That seems odd to me.

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Another example of even medical people getting it wrong. The main reason masks are recommended is to reduce the chance of you infecting someone else by stopping aerosol type droplets from being launched into the air around you. They provide some (but limited) protection time the wearer.

I see, I believe the N95 is overkill personally for Dental work. But if she is having difficulty breathing over long term use, she should not be in an N95 or re-perfom a fit testing.

My recommendation would be a the 3M 8511 w/one way valve with a surgical mask overtop, plus the full face shield.

While not ideal to wear a N95 valved respirator while perfoming medical work, it would offer only slightly more comfort in breathing than medical grade N95.

AgReserach and Oneeyed - thanks for the replies. I'll check the cartridges we have on the Honeywell 5500 and if they are not P100's I'll get a set of those. We wear goggles to protect our eyes. Long sleeve shirts, latex gloves.

AgReserach, is there a way I can reach you off line to ask some follow up questions on specific herbicides?

If you'll shoot me a text I'll give you my email and then I'll pull my phone number from this post.

Many thanks.


*Edited to remove phone number.

HeadCiv78 said:

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Aggie95 said:

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know of a dr that is starting a new position and was required to get a TB test before starting at the new hospital(normal). She had her N95 mask on but they made her put another mask over it because..."the N95 mask will protect you but not us". That seems odd to me.

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Another example of even medical people getting it wrong. The main reason masks are recommended is to reduce the chance of you infecting someone else by stopping aerosol type droplets from being launched into the air around you. They provide some (but limited) protection time the wearer.

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OP said N95, which implies a respirator. Like I said, a respirator protects the user from others, not others against the user.