subject: The Most Effective alternatives to wearing a sanding mask [print this page] NO DOUBT ABOUT IT,long-term exposure to wood dust can be a health hazard.Experts agree that collecting dust at the source should be the first line of defense.Next comes personal protection,afforded by wearing dust masks and respirators.In order to be effective,however,most of these products rely on a good seal to your face,which poses a problem if you have a beard,as I have,or sensitive skin.Fortunately,we don't have to shave or put up with a rash in order to reduce our exposure to dust.Here is 3M Airstream PAPR System that don't require anairtight seal.
This is hands-down the best power respirator of the group,andit comes with the highest price.Unlike any of the other respirators in this review,however,the Airstream PAPR(Powered Air Purifying Respirator)System is NIOSH approved.
The Airstream provided the most CFM of airflow.The breezeinside the helmet did the best job of keeping me cool and thevisor free of fog.Powered respirators can get a little warmwhen you exert yourself and breathe harder or faster,so themore cooling breeze there is,the better.
The 3M Airstream has a separate NiCad battery pack that's worn on the waist,like the Triton,but the fan is located in thehelmet,like the Trend.That means no breathing tubes to get in the way and no battery sitting on top of your head.
Like the Triton,the Airstream provideshead protection by mounting the respi-rator in a hardhat.
A number of padded adjustment points in the helmet made the Airstream the most comfortable power respiratorof the group.
In addition to recharging the batterypack,the Airstream's smart charger allows you to top off the battery at the end of theday,or leave it on the charger over the weekend.The Airstream and smart chargerare sold together or separately,so businesses can service several helmets with a single charger.
The Most Effective alternatives to wearing a sanding mask
