Are the filters recommended above suitable for protection while spraying mosquito fog? If not, can anyone recommend one that is, and would that alternative be suitable for wood dust as well?
- JohnMcClure
John, the Pink powder puffs shown in the link, are also P rated, which is the designation for use with OIL, so they do much better than an N rated filter in any wet or damp condition. I frequently use them when I spray paint, or finishes.
As far as I know usually the mosquito fogs use Malathion, or Permethrin. I think before filters are addressed you want to really do some figuring out wind direction, and only apply so the spray is going to go away from you. With that first and foremost in my mind I wouldn't hesitate to use the P100 filters. Here again as I did earlier I am going to also caution you to have a good shield for your eyes as well. I'd wear goggles, and a face shield, "just in case" as they say, stuff happens. You wouldn't want either on your skin, or down your airway. It also starts to work something like radioactivity, time you are exposed to it, and distance, so a very fine spray that got on someone some distance away, wouldn't be problematic, as it would have diluted with all the air it passed through.
If you want to just say the heck with it, and just spray wherever you walked. I would strongly suggest a full face respirator and cartridge filters. I would also use a poly suit so it didn't get on my skin, you can get intake that way too. When you see pics of the guys doing it, they are pretty well shrouded. In our area they do it in neighborhoods, but not in the country where we are. They put out bulletins about when, and use a loudspeaker telling everyone to shelter indoors, and close all doors, and windows, and stay in for 3 hours. Same for pets. I honestly don't know if that is the "norm", just what they do here. I imagine in California, you probably need to move away for 2 months. Ya know everything causes cancer there…..
If you used the 3M line as we have been talking about their organic/gas cannister filters will always have a yellow label. The overall container the cartridge is in could be white, grey, or black, heck possibly others I haven't seen, but they are the universal filters for both organic as well as gasses.
The yellow will be hard to miss on them though.
Yes you could wear them for wood dust also, but generally they are overkill, and cost quite a bit more $$$$$. The pink powder puffs work well, or you could use the particulate filters, very similar in shape, and slight difference in use. Many feel they last longer, but usually cost more.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Advanced-Particulate-Filter-2291-P100-100-EA-Case/?N=5002385+3294780150&rt=rud