Dust Bee Gone Mask

[Glen Blanchard]

I am exploring options for keeping dust out of my lungs. I'm not concerned about fumes as I don't spray. My primary concern is dust. The Dust Bee Gone website states that their mask will filter down to 3 microns, so it won't get the ultra small stuff. Is this sufficient?

[Jim Burr]

In the particulate world, 3 microns is huge!! That is the exact size particle we nebulize for aerosolized medication because it deposits in the lungs with minimal effort. N95 standards seek to obtain 95% filtration of 1 micron size particles (from memory which may have faded) so the bigger ones...3m size are getting through. Remember that N95 masks that we use in the military, gov't & hospital service are specially fit to the user through a Fit Test so they will optimize filtration for that user. That is one reason there are so many different manufactures and styles of masks.

[Roger Chandler]

That dust be gone mask will help and is better than no protection............however, if you want to avoid the damaging effects of wood dust in your lungs..........you should get the dust blowing away from you if possible with a fan at your back or side and if not possible, then an air powered respirator or a quality respirator like used for spraying finishes is needed. The small stuff like sanding dust does the real damage, and you need to protect your health..........you may not notice the damage for some time, but it is happening, and it will catch up with you one day like being hit by a truck!

[Jon Nuckles]

A mask that filters only to 3 microns is probably categorized as a "nuisance" mask and likely has a warning on the package that says "This mask will not protect your lungs." You should have a mask that filters to between .3 and .5 microns for real protection. A half face mask with dust cartridges that gives you that protection can be purchased for less than $50 (maybe much less). They are not comfortable to wear (for me, anyway) for long periods, especially under a face shield, but the alternative is a PAPR system that can cost between $250 and $1000+. Cheaper than health care, though, and something I plan to buy one of these days.

[Prashun Patel]

Glen-
I'd consider this one:

3M 6391 P100 Reusable Respirator Gas Mask.

It fits very well, comes with P100's and can be fitted with cartridges for solvent work.

I have a box of these also which I keep in my car for occasional use:

3M 8000 Series Respirator.

I think the 'disposable' ones are fine, but the fit tends to be suboptimal. The 6391 fits very well and is not fatiguing as some masks can be on the neck or cheeks.

[Glen Blanchard]

I was trying to stay away from looking like Darth Vader (and I was hoping for something both comfortable and unobtrusive) but it sounds like I need more than the Dust Bee Gone. I am going to look at the Trend Air Shield, but I want to be able to wear over-the-ear headphones with it (ear buds are not an option) and I don't think that is very doable.

[Michael Mills]

I use 3M respirators similar to what Jim mentioned. They have N95 and N100. I think they seal as well as the half face with the cartridges. Both filter down to 0.3 microns, not 3.0 microns as the Dust Bee does.

The N95 run about $2.50 and the N100 about $7.00 (I use the N100) They are rated for up to 160 hours use (or about a year+ sanding for me). I simply store them open with the outside up (don’t store them in a baggie as they will have moisture from your breathe which needs to evaporate).

I do not have a beard so that may affect the efficiency if you have one.

I probably toss them after 30 hours use but have never kept track.

[Glen Blanchard]

The 3M N100 (from what I can tell by photos) might be a decent compromise.

Just out of curiosity, is there a minimal acceptable sawdust filtering capacity? .3 micron certainly seems sufficient, but would .4 micron be just as adequate for a woodworker? How about .8? 1.5? Is there a threshold I should be aiming for or is it merely a "filter as much as possible" scenario?

Thanks for the great advice, guys.

[Jon Nuckles]

I think the suggested range is between .3 and .5 microns. You should also check the percentage filtered at that size, and I think you want to be at 99+%.

[Jim Burr]

The 3M N100 (from what I can tell by photos) might be a decent compromise.

Just out of curiosity, is there a minimal acceptable sawdust filtering capacity? .3 micron certainly seems sufficient, but would .4 micron be just as adequate for a woodworker? How about .8? 1.5? Is there a threshold I should be aiming for or is it merely a "filter as much as possible" scenario?

Thanks for the great advice, guys.

I'm really fond of 100% Glen, but then again, it's what I do for a living ;) Don't forget the air in the shop too...all that stuff settles and is re-airborne through normal movement.

[Don McClure]

I have used them all but my favorite for dust is a product invented by Jim Duxbury a member of the Caroliona Mountain Turners. called Resp-O-Rator availabe from Packard for $49. It doew not for glasses and can be worn with a face shield. It uses hepa filters. Check it out. Also go top his site and see the short video.

[Prashun Patel]

I've always wondered when filters should be replaced or when a mask should be tossed. With most filters, the reason we toss them is bkz they eventually clog and slow the airflow, which decreases the performance of the furnace, air cleaner, dust collector, etc.

But with a dust mask, I figure it should be replaced/tossed when it becomes hard to breathe. I replaced the filters on my 3m half-mask after about 9 months, but it's not like it was hard to breathe or anything. So, when is the right time?

[Noah Barfield]

I was trying to stay away from looking like Darth Vader (and I was hoping for something both comfortable and unobtrusive) but it sounds like I need more than the Dust Bee Gone. I am going to look at the Trend Air Shield, but I want to be able to wear over-the-ear headphones with it (ear buds are not an option) and I don't think that is very doable.

For music or sound-blocking? If it's for hearing protection, there are several over the ear headphones that work.

[Glen Blanchard]

For music or sound-blocking? If it's for hearing protection, there are several over the ear headphones that work.

I've got wireless headphones that I use at times. Music and talk radio.

[Jerry Marcantel]

This might sound a little gross, but this is what I've discovered in the last year and a half. Since 1978, I've had my own cabinet business and always used the nuisance mask when I was cutting a lot of wood or doing a lot of sanding. I found that after the day was over, I would have this need to pick my nose. The "stuff" I pulled( shoveled) out of my nose always had a color to it, and usually caused my nose to itch... I tried my painters respirator, and decided that was more of a pain than picking my nose. About a year and a half ago, I purchased some 3M 8511 masks, and now I don't ever pick my nose because of dust. My boogers are clean. This is a 34 year observation with no scientific study involved.... Just ma nose.. ......... hehehehe............. Jerry (in Tucson)

[Rick Markham]

Here's some things to consider. Any particle under 1 micron is the most damaging, these particles can (and do) travel all the way to your Alveoli (the pockets inside your lungs where the actual oxygen/CO2 exchange happens) Once a particle is inside your alveoli, it will be there forever, the cilia in your lungs cannot clean your alveoli. So getting these particles are the most important.

There are lots of options available for respirators/dust masks. The most important thing about the respirator is that you ACTUALLY USE IT. No matter how good the filtering, if it's uncomfortable or a PITA to use, then you are less likely to be wearing it.

I started out with the half face respirators and wore them under my face shield, but only when I had to. Recently I aquired a PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) Now I wear it ALL the time! I personally opted for a 3M Adflo system (not a cheap investment by any means) but it protects my lungs and my face, my glasses don't get sawdust all over them, and I can breathe when I'm done.

[Don Geiger]

I worked in the air pollution field for 40 years and can provide some information here.

The inhalable fraction of dust- that which enters in through the nose and mouth- has an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns and less. The dust from 10 microns down to 2.6 microns is captured by hairs in the nose, mucas membranes and other wetted surfaces in the upper respiratory system. Particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns and less enter the lungs and get trapped in the alveoli thus having a high potential for causing damage.

I hope this is of some help to the SMC members.


Don Geiger

[jeff oldham]

I know jim duxberry and he is a great guy...im a member of the same turners club

[Dave Fritz]

Rick, it looks like the unit you purchased is for welders. Any reason you selected that over the 3M Versaflo? Do you do welding too? I'm just curious.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Please note that this is a 5 year old thread! :D If the subject is still of interest, please start a new thread.

[Stewart Campbell]

How well does this respirator work, while used with glasses and a face shield?



Glen-
I'd consider this one:

3M 6391 P100 Reusable Respirator Gas Mask.

It fits very well, comes with P100's and can be fitted with cartridges for solvent work.

I have a box of these also which I keep in my car for occasional use:

3M 8000 Series Respirator.

I think the 'disposable' ones are fine, but the fit tends to be suboptimal. The 6391 fits very well and is not fatiguing as some masks can be on the neck or cheeks.

[lynn cranmer]

The RZ mask claims 99% filtration down to 0.1 micron. I just got one and it is very comfortable to wear.

[Prashun Patel]

My safety glasses fit over the mask no problem.
My face shield works great over it also.

[Glen Blanchard]

As the OP, in spite of the age of this thread, I will state that I have been using an N95 mask over the 5 years or so that I have been turning. However, I have relatively recently changed to an RZ mask, and like Lynn, find it very comfortable. I think I prefer it to the disposable type of masks.

[David Drickhamer]

A friend has a Dust be gone and doesn't like it as it doesn't block fine sawdust. I just got one of these and so far like it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X9CZZN9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1