PRO Dual Cartridge Respirator
I have been renovating my home for years and never got a respirator for reasons that mostly revolve around laziness shrouded in a cloud of machismo. I occasionally donned the white masks you would get from the local hardware store, but quite frankly, they don't do a whole lot. This is my first respirator, and I have to thank the authors of the many reviews I read on this site that made me choose this one in particular. I've used this under the house (fine dirt), while gardening (pollen), while sweeping (dust), and while using power tools to cut/mill wood (fine sawdust, smoke). I don't think any respirator will ever give you the experience of the freedom of not wearing any breathing apparatus of course, but this one is actually more comfortable than those white masks, and I breathe a lot better after my jobs are done. No more coughing and raspy throat for me!
Due to pollution, a bit of aging, and probably all those years of not wearing a respirator when I should have, I now have a mild asthmatic reaction to irritating airborne particles (I take Qvar everyday and have albuterol on standby). Don't let this be you! Get a respirator (I am of course, recommending this one) if you do any job/housework that results in you coughing or having to rinse your nose and/or mouth out afterwards. Your lungs will thank you.
Here are some downsides to wearing this (and probably all) respirators:
- Having facial hair will not allow a good seal around the muzzle (so shave, and beards, goatees, mustaches, mutton chops, etc. are out)
- It's a giant thing strapped to your face and head. I've unpleasantly bonked into things while working.
- The quick release clip on the back is great for getting in and out of this thing (I've read many reviews saying this is a key feature that many other respirators lack), but while it's very useful, the clip is kind of small and hard to operate (especially if you're wearing gloves).
- You'll look like a member of a hazmat team.
Here's some upside bullet points:
- Replacement cartridges are easy to find (something I think people don't always think about). I've seen them at OSH, Home Depot, and of course, Amazon.
- The quick release clip gets you in and out in easily
- I get sweaty and dirty, but this has been easy to clean
- Replacement cartridges easy to remove and install (don't know if this is normally an issue or not, but I thought I'd mention it)
- Did I already mention this will help save your lungs?
- You'll look like a member of a hazmat team.
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