Dust masks

Am I the only one dumb enough to use cheap Home Depot dust masks for handling coal? My nose winds up full of black dust. Who knows where it goes besides my nose -- will I be the first case in Maine of black lung disease? Recently I saw my neighbor, who makes wooden furniture, with a mask like the one pictured. I bought a box from an internet site, a little more than $1 per mask, and they are vastly better than the cheapies. They fit better, seal much better, and filter much better. The ones I got are 3M model 1860. They are rated N95, which I don't understand completely, but it is a measure of how well they filter. I highly recommend them.

I use those cheapo face masks that are flat and fit with rubbers bands around the ears, use them for vacumning the ash. I can see that if you have a lot of loose coal to shovel, your mask is the way to go, no fooling around.

It is good you are thinking abt this,permit me to say that the dust in my house went down dramatically when i went from a hand fed to a stoket.

Heres a good test of how much coal dust /ash is flying around. Go to the dollar store and buy a couple cheap mirrors. Dustone off and lay it flat some close distance to the stove. Do the same at same time with the other mirror far away from the stove, that is the control. The difference of accumulation after several days is pretty much stove accumulation vs natural accumulation or somewhere in between, enjoy the test!!

I purchased a full face mask that has the replaceable 3m round filters. I can be in the bin (enclosed room) for hours and nothing gets in my eyes, mouth nose....works great......before that I had black all in my eyes, nose, amazing how this stuff finds its way in!

I like the 3m 8511 mask with the exhaust valve. They are easier to work hard while wearing especially if you wear glasses.

N95 filters out 95% of airborne particles,but is not oil resistant.

SD

I just use a dampened bandana & wear it over my nose & mouth like an outlaw................

SheepDog68 wrote:I like the 3m 8511 mask with the exhaust valve. They are easier to work hard while wearing especially if you wear glasses.

I will have to look into those. I have noticed that with the 1860, if I work outside it has enough resistance that I feel a little out of breath.

Just ordered the harbor freight nockoff.
Never thought about a exhale valve one
Before...can't wait to try...thanks

SheepDog68 wrote:I like the 3m 8511 mask with the exhaust valve. They are easier to work hard while wearing especially if you wear glasses.

N95 filters out 95% of airborne particles,but is not oil resistant.

SD

These are a good choice, I were them at work ( asphalt plant and crushing plants) and when tending the stove at home.

Not so sure about the Harbor fright knock off's but if they are NIOSH rated may be ok. You can find the 3M's for around $1 each and get a few uses out each if kept clean ( freezer bag)