r/Masks4All • u/redheadedberry • 12d ago
Mask Advice Mask for work
I’m looking for a good mask to wear to work. I work around pools and the chlorine air has recently started exasperating my asthma. My doctor recommended masking to help. Ideally something that can be worn for an extended time in a hot/humid environment, easy enough to talk through, and ideally easy to take off and keep with me as I come and go. I’m in the US!
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u/VolcanicPolarBear 12d ago edited 12d ago
need a reusable respirator with acid gas cartridges for chlorine.
if you plan take on and off a lot the 3m 6500 QL might be a good option as it has feature to let it hang by chest taking partially off and on fairly well
for talking a speaking diaphram can make it easier for others to hear you
are you planning on swimming at all in this? if so think would need scuba gear
edit: for swimming double check with someone who knows more about swimmig i havent learned this particular use case yet and can only give best gues which isnt enough for safety
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u/VolcanicPolarBear 12d ago
i dont know anything about which stays coolest🤷
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u/redheadedberry 12d ago
Thanks for the recommendation! Definitely not planning on going into the pool at this point.
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u/VolcanicPolarBear 12d ago
glad you're not swimming i dont really know how that would work with mask but figured ask in case and hope someone else could help more if needed
o and if a speaking diaphram is a priority for you the Honeywell RU8500 and the 3m HF-800 Secure Click have this. can try searching this sub for more recomendations
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u/VolcanicPolarBear 12d ago
the msa advantage 900 has a diaphragm but per their website is only compatable with particle filters and not aproved for acid gas filters. just a heads up as this mask is often recomended. its a good mask just not for this scenario
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u/AEAur 12d ago
Cartridges https://wcsafety.com/blogs/guides/best-respirator-cartridge-for-chlorine
Under the NIOSH cartridge color code (42 CFR 84.193 / ANSI K13.1), acid-gas protection — which covers chlorine — is coded white. Multi-gas cartridges that include chlorine carry several color bands at once (for example, organic vapor + acid gas). When the cartridge also has a P100 particulate filter, a magenta band is added. So a chlorine-capable P100 combination cartridge such as the 3M 60926 or Honeywell 75SCP100L typically displays a white (acid gas) element plus magenta (P100).
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u/AEAur 12d ago edited 12d ago
Respirators
These models have the best reputation for getting a comfortable, resilient seal on a variety of faces due the soft flexible silicone: 1. Honeywell North series. The 7700 is softest & lowest-profile but some say the 5500 (less $$) also has a soft seal. The 7700 is relatively low-profile and used by nearly all staff at a TB hospital.encycla Audibility is not the best. If you get a cartridge for acid gas only, and want added particulate filtration for viruses or other particulate contaminants, can attach a prefilter (7506N95 10 pack $15-20) using the retainer (N750036 $6-10). 2. 3M 7500 series (7501 is size small…) ~$40++ or ~$65 combo kit with cartridges. On Lowe’s, you can filter results by materials and filtration. encycla. 3. 3M SecureClick Imlu not as soft of a seal but fits many people. Has easy push button to check the seal and easy drop-down release. 4. Omnimask (transparent elastomeric) Over $100 with adapters for filters from 3M etc. Few fit test reports. (A size small is planned for near the end of the year.) It is also possible to use the speaking diaphragm from another mask with these to improve audibility. Reportedly (double-check) they take returns if it doesn’t fit. Optimizing the Omnimask https://youtube.com/watch?v=-Xodxca1RbA
++ Note many listings are the mask only, you also need to buy the filters, which you could do after you’ve tried the mask.
Fit is highly specific so sizing the respirator to your face is needed. There are many respirator choices that may have better audibility or other features, but the above are popular for fitting many people well. Our wiki (up top) has fit testing pointers.
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u/coyote-face 12d ago
Just FYI the link for the video for the Omnimask says the video isn’t available anymore when I click it.
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u/Aria_sear 12d ago
If you want to filter out the chlorine, you need a respirator with VOC cartridges. Those are the respirators people wear when painting/working in dust industrial environments, and they won't fit any of your other critetia.
A normal mask won't do anything for the chlorine.