Filtering face masks, such as N95 masks, are often used as a standard component of personal protective equipment (PPE) in workplaces where there is exposure to dust and other airborne hazards. But PPE isn't just for the workplace. Home maintenance and his DIY work can also expose him to airborne particles that can be harmful to his health.
“Whether you are a trained construction worker or a DIY enthusiast, not using the proper protective equipment can put you at risk for serious respiratory illness,” St. Louis said Dr. Chaitanya Mandapakala, medical director of the College of Chronic Lung Disease. Elizabeth Healthcare.
Long-term exposure to airborne particles is associated with respiratory diseases, infections, and cancer. Although the risk of airborne infection during home projects is generally much lower than that of workers who spend their days in dusty environments, DIYers should wear masks appropriate for the work they are doing. You also need to protect your respiratory system.
What is an N95 mask?
N95 masks are air-purifying masks designed to filter out 95% of particles larger than 0.3 μm in diameter. “Particulates are essentially small particles that are naturally present in the air, such as pollen, mold, bacteria, wind-blown dust, or operations such as grinding, polishing, cutting, welding, shredding, sawing, sweeping, etc. “These are particles that are generated during a process, whether it's dusting, spraying or burning,” said Curtis Chambers, a Commission Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and president of OSHA Training Services Inc. Mr. Su explains.
N95 masks are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the scientific research arm of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These masks have been the gold standard for respiratory protection during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their effectiveness in filtering small aerosolized droplets.
If you still have plenty of N-95 at home, you can put it to good use to protect yourself from harmful particles while doing DIY work. “His clean, well-fitting N95 masks generally provide adequate protection against most airborne particulate exposures in environments such as home projects,” Chambers said.
When not to use an N95 mask
Before you put on an old N95 mask from your stash and start stripping paint off old furniture, you need to know what an N95 mask won't protect you from.
“It is very important to realize that N95 masks are not intended to protect against all types of atmospheric hazards,” Chambers said.
- Oil particles: The “N” in N95 stands for “not oil-resistant,” meaning these masks do not filter out oil-based particles created by spraying pesticides or oil-based paints.
- Ultrafine particles: N95 masks cannot adequately filter particles smaller than 0.3μm, such as metal and plastic fumes.
- Gases and Vapors: N95 also does not protect against gases such as methane or carbon monoxide, or vapors such as chemical fumes from solvents or paints.
- Hypoxic environments: N95s do not provide any protection in oxygen-deficient environments, such as confined spaces, because they do not provide the wearer with any oxygen other than the surrounding air.
- High-particle environments: N95 masks can only provide limited protection from airborne particles. It is not intended for prolonged use in work environments with significant amounts of dust and other particles.
How to use N95 mask
A gas mask will only protect you if it fits properly and seals tightly against your face. Some of his N95 masks come in different sizes, so be sure to choose the right size for your face. If you have facial hair, such as beards or sideburns, the mask won't create a seal and you'll be breathing in particles through the gaps between the mask and your skin.
When wearing a mask, make sure the straps are tight, the metal nosepiece fits snugly around your nose, and there are no gaps around your nose or cheeks. Keep your nose inside the mask at all times.
Additionally, Professor Chambers says, “N95 masks are disposable, which means they must be discarded if they become difficult to breathe, dirty, wet, or worn out. They can also be washed and hung. Don't try to dry it. Throw it away when it's done its job.”
Below, we'll discuss nine DIY tasks that put you at risk of inhaling particulates that can harm your health over time with repeated exposure. Stay safe by wearing an N95 mask during these activities.
1. Cutting stone
Stone, brick, tile, and other masonry materials contain crystalline silica, a common mineral found in many building materials. When these materials are cut, chiseled, drilled, and ground, silica dust is released into the air. These small particles are known as respirable crystalline silica. When silica dust is inhaled, the particles can travel deep into the lungs, where they can develop nodules and scar tissue over time, causing silicosis, a serious and sometimes fatal lung disease. “Silicosis is associated with an increased risk of mycobacterial infections, chronic necrotizing aspergillosis, lung cancer, rheumatic diseases, kidney disease, chronic airflow obstruction, and chronic bronchitis,” says Dr. Mandapakala. NIOSH recommends that he wear an N95 or higher respirator when exposed to silica dust.
2. Mixing of cement
Cement, the main component of concrete, also contains crystalline silica, which can be an inhalation hazard when dry. The most likely exposure to cement dust is when mixing cement or emptying bags of dry cement. Short-term exposure to cement dust can cause irritation of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory system and difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure can cause silicosis and other serious respiratory illnesses. OSHA requires that when a worker handles concrete he must wear a P-, R-, or N95 mask and only eat and drink in a dust-free area to avoid ingesting cement dust. .
3. Gardening
Gardening is good for your mind and body, but that doesn't mean it's risk-free. Soil, compost, and potting mixes can contain harmful bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. One such biological hazard is the bacterium Legionella longbeach found in potting mixes and compost. L.longbeachae can cause Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. Researchers note that people at high risk of developing Legionnaires' disease include smokers and people with chronic lung disease. Wearing an N95 mask and proper hand washing when handling compost or potting mix will help you avoid inhaling or ingesting harmful microorganisms.
4. Woodworking
Inhaling wood dust over long periods of time has been linked to several symptoms and health conditions, from sneezing and breathing difficulties to asthma and cancer. Occupational exposure to especially hardwood dust has been shown to cause cancer of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Dr. Mandapakala says, “Inhaling dust from activities such as wood processing and wood sanding can cause asthma, COPD, and lung inflammation, leading to interstitial lung disease and fibrosis, and increasing the risk of lung cancer. ”, he warns. The National Cancer Institute recommends reducing exposure to wood dust at work sites by using exhaust ventilation systems and requiring workers to wear gas masks.
5. Sanding the drywall
Sanding drywall can be tedious and even dangerous. Drywall sheets and joint compounds contain elements such as talc, gypsum, and silica, which become aerosolized when sanded or when the sheet is broken or disturbed. Inhaling drywall dust over a long period of time can cause throat and airway irritation, coughing, and breathing problems. Old drywall compound can also contain asbestos, so be sure he wears an N95 mask both when sanding new drywall and when removing old drywall.
6. Insulation work
Blanket batts and rolls, the most popular types of home insulation, are usually made from fiberglass. As its name suggests, fiberglass is a synthetic fiber made from tiny particles of glass. These particles can irritate the skin and damage the respiratory system if they become lodged in the upper respiratory tract or are inhaled deep into the lungs. Inhaling glass fiber particles can irritate the nose and throat or worsen existing asthma or other respiratory conditions.
The Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) recommends cutting blanket insulation with a sharp knife rather than tearing or ripping it. ICAA also stipulates that workers installing or removing blanket insulation must wear an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator.
7. Cleaning up animal waste
Animal feces pose a biological hazard because they harbor a variety of pathogens that are harmful to humans. For example, raccoon litter boxes can be a source of Beilisaccharis procyonis, a type of roundworm that is harmful to humans. Bird droppings can harbor Cyptococcus neoformans, a fungus that can be transmitted to humans if inhaled. You can also become infected with histoplasmosis if you inhale Histoplasma fungal spores from bird or bat droppings. People with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to severe forms of these infections. Be sure to wear your PPE, including a mask, when cleaning up animal waste around your home.
8. Burn garden waste
Some municipalities allow you to burn bush and garden waste on your property. If you practice burning yard waste, seriously consider smoke exposure. Smoke may smell nice, but it contains a different mixture of gases and particulates that can cause health problems if inhaled. Smoke inhalation has been shown to worsen lung and heart conditions and even lead to premature death in people with chronic illnesses. If your local government allows the burning of bush and garden waste, be sure to burn it safely outdoors in a well-ventilated area. If you have a chronic lung or heart condition, wear his N95 mask just in case.
9. Mold cleanup
Molds exist naturally around us and play an important role in the decomposition of plants and animals. However, exposure to mold can be harmful. Inhaling mold spores can cause nasal congestion, coughing, and wheezing for some people, but people with asthma or mold allergies may have more severe reactions.
“Mold can cause asthma, bronchitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, infectious pneumonitis, and can even progress to necrotizing lung disease.” Dr. Mandapakala. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing at least an N95 mask when removing moldy items or cleaning up post-flood damage.
Understand the limitations of masks
While masks like N95s can provide reliable, limited-time protection from many types of harmful particles, face masks and other forms of PPE cannot completely protect against harm. The best way to prevent airborne harm is to eliminate the source or avoid contact altogether. But if that's not possible, keep a pile of N95 masks at home or at work to keep yourself and your lungs safe.