Protect Those Lungs! - Respiratory Protection Equipment

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

The harvest season will reach Carroll County before we know it, and there are some key safety considerations to keep in mind as we are working out in the fields.

Use respiratory protection to safeguard your lungs against dusts as you harvest crops, clean out grain bins, open silos, strip tobacco, and participate in other seasonal farming activities. 

A disposable toxic dust respirator will filter out fine dust particles that can deeply penetrate the lungs.  It is needed for protection from potentially harmful dusts like grain dust and mold from grain, hay or silage.  Agricultural workers should use a toxic dust respirator anytime they will be exposed to dusty operations or activities. 

Using an approved toxic dust respirator can prevent the respiratory symptoms commonly associated with working in confinement facilities as well as the onset of the flu-like illness that occurs four to six hours after exposure to big amounts of moldy materials.

N95 Respirator (University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service)

An N95 is the most common respirator for agricultural uses.  The N indicates that it is intended for oil-free dust and that the filter is 95 percent efficient in removing irrespirable or fine dust that can penetrate deep into the lungs.  An N100 type that is 99.9 percent efficient also is available.

Disposable toxic dust respirators are made of a heavier filter material with two straps. The box or container has a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approval label.  Most have an adjustable nose band to provide a good fit and are available in different sizes to accommodate most facial sizes and shapes.  Respirators also may have exhalation valves to improve user comfort.  A box of 10 to 20 of these respirators usually costs only a few dollars each.

Cartridge-Type, Half Mask Respirator (UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office)

A cartridge-type, half mask respirator is most often used for pesticides or chemical exposures.  These respirators have both a chemical cartridge to protect you from vapors and designated gases and a N95 or N100 mechanical filter for dust protection.  They are available either as disposable respirators or reusable with replaceable cartridges.

A P95 or P100 dust filter is required for oil-based pesticides.  The P indicates that the filter is oil proof or resistant to oils for more than eight hours of exposure.

Disposable dust masks and cartridge respirators are considered air purifiers and will not protect you against a potentially life-threatening environment such as toxic gases or reduced oxygen levels.  Entry into this type of situation requires a respirator that will supply fresh air.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) (Penn State Cooperative Extension Service)

A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), like a firefighter would wear, is used in potentially life-threatening environments such as entering manure pits, air-tight silos or other enclosed or confined areas with low oxygen levels or other potentially dangerous gases or fumes.

For everyone's protection, know the types of potentially harmful dusts and other hazards in the workplace, have appropriate respiratory protection available, and be sure it is the right size and shape to properly fit and provide adequate protection.

Nuisance Dust Mask (University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service)

Using disposable nontoxic, or nuisance, dust masks is a good way to protect you from allergies while working in the yard or garden; however, these masks are ineffective for most agricultural uses.  They are effective for nuisance-type dusts that do not pose a serious health hazard such as pollens or other irritating dusts that may cause upper respiratory reactions such as sneezing or stuffy nose.