Re: 1996 Regal 17.6 Avanti restoration using composite materials
I was at work, so I did some extensive research on mask during my down time. I did buy a filter for the style mask you show above from fiberglass services. The filters for the mask are rated R95. The 3M disposable (approx $1.00 ea.) are rated as N95. They both stop particlates down to .3 microns. The only difference is that the R95 is oil resistent and the N95 is not. Since I am not working in an oil envirnment it doesn't matter. They both do the same job. The diamenter of the smallest fillament in fiberglass is .00015 inches or 3.8 Microns. This is way bigger then the .3 microns, so not a problem for either mask. The link that I posted above states that fiberglass can not fracture length wise, so the diameter of the dust will always be larger then 3.8 microns. In fact the article states that particles have to be smaller then 3.5 microns to get trapped in your lungs. From what I researched the fitting of the mask is probably a bigger concern. At my work we have to get fit tested with the N95 masks. We don the mask, they place a hood over our head and spray a mist of a non toxic oderous gas. If you smell it, they try a different size. If you don't, then you have a good fit and you simply note what size you where for future reference. If you are not trying to stop VOC, and are just worried about fiberglass dust, I don't see the advantage of the R95 mask. If you can find anything to the contrary please let me know.
Thanks