Fine particles represent a danger for everyone, especially for those workers who are exposed for many hours and for long periods. Exposure to harmful dust, can lead to serious diseases of the respiratory system in the long run. For this reason, it is necessary to adopt suitable forms of protection, i.e. professional particle masks the use of which is required by law. The proper use of face pieces for protection against fine particles helps to defend one’s health and to drastically reduce the risks involved.
Face pieces for industrial fine particles: why use them?
Fine particles are commonly known as PM 10, where 10 indicates the diameter of 10 microns. In recent times, in fact, we also often hear of PM 2.5, i.e. particles that are even smaller and therefore easier to inhale. Once these particles come into contact with the respiratory system, they remain blocked in the bronchi and lungs and consequently create irritation, asthma, allergies and can lead to serious diseases. In industries that work with chemical agents, metallurgical industries, construction, wood and marble processing, sandblasting and painting, the risk of contracting diseases of the respiratory system is very high and it is thus important for the employers to provide employees with face pieces for protection against fine particles. The purpose of these devices is to filter the air in the atmosphere and block the passage of all the tiny particles invisible to the naked eye so as to allow the worker to always breathe clean air only. To date, face pieces are the only way to avoid damage to the health of people working in contaminated environments. Compared to the past, these devices are not bulky, are lightweight and consequently do not hinder the movements that need to be performed on the job.
Various types of facepieces may be found on the market – disposable masks, suitable for use in areas where the dust concentration is very low – full face and half masks equipped with filters which offer different types of protection and which can be replaced quite easily – powered air purifying respirators run by rechargeable batteries which provide clean, filtered air to the inside of the face piece, preventing visor misting and generating a slight internal pressure which prevents any polluted environment air from entering the face piece.
Many workers consider this latter model to be the most efficient.
Protect yourself from asbestos thanks to protective masks
Among the jobs that cause the highest occupational health risks to workers, is treatment and disposal of asbestos. Asbestos is a substance which was widely used in the past because of its high insulating properties and, only after extensive use of this substance had been made in both the public and the private construction and industrial sectors, were its dangers made known. Asbestos products become dangerous in time when, owing to the natural wear and tear of the products, there is a release of asbestos fibres. As of today, asbestos reclamation and/or abatement is an ongoing business and whenever the need arises to remove asbestos from buildings or contaminated areas, all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid risks for the workers. Asbestos fibres expose workers to the risk of respiratory system irritation and lengthy exposure may lead to lung cancer.
Asbestos is a fibrous, non-combustible mineral and current legislation in many countries bans its extraction, importation and processing.
In the past, asbestos was used in the construction field, extensively. It was used mainly for insulation purposes or was mixed to other materials such as cement (Eternit) or to resins. The presence of asbestos itself is not necessarily dangerous – it becomes when its fibres are released into the environment.
The only way to work with asbestos, without being exposed to respiratory risks is to use respiratory protective devices for protection against asbestos. These need to be equipped with P3 particle filters which will block out even the smallest of particles, thus preventing the asbestos fibres which have been released into the atmosphere from reaching the pleura and lungs.
Asbestos reclamation and abatement also requires some physical effort on the part of the worker and it is important that a slight positive pressure builds up inside the face piece as this will make work under stress more comfortable and breathing easier.
The type of particulate present in the air, and its quantity above all, should be the main factors that determine the choice of one protective device rather than another.
Hence the need for workers on asbestos reclamation, abatement or removal jobs to protect their respiratory system with an appropriate powered air purifying device.
Kasco manufactures Category III respiratory protective devices with full face masks, namely, VENUS1 T5, VENUS1 T8 and VENUS1 M3 or ZENITH1 T5, ZENITH1 T8 and ZENITH1 M3 with P3 particle filters and equipped with battery powered blower units that provides filtered air directly to the face area. The power source for the blower unit is a battery which is worn on a belt at the wait. The air purified by the filter is conveyed to the inside of the mask through inhalation valves and passes over the inside of the visor thus preventing it from fogging up. The exhaled and any excess air is expelled from the face mask through an exhalation valve. Both full face mask models are certified to EN136: 1998 standard, have an almost natural field of vision and weigh less than 600 grams.
VENUS1 full face mask: single size, EPDM face blank, EN 148-1 connector.
ZENITH1 full face mask: in 3 sizes (S, M, L), silicone face blank, EN 148-1 connector.
Click here to see all the “Industrial range” respiratory protective devices manufactured by Kasco srl for working in industrial environments.
May 22 2018
Face pieces for protection against fine particles
Face pieces for industrial fine particles: why use them?
Fine particles are commonly known as PM 10, where 10 indicates the diameter of 10 microns. In recent times, in fact, we also often hear of PM 2.5, i.e. particles that are even smaller and therefore easier to inhale. Once these particles come into contact with the respiratory system, they remain blocked in the bronchi and lungs and consequently create irritation, asthma, allergies and can lead to serious diseases. In industries that work with chemical agents, metallurgical industries, construction, wood and marble processing, sandblasting and painting, the risk of contracting diseases of the respiratory system is very high and it is thus important for the employers to provide employees with face pieces for protection against fine particles. The purpose of these devices is to filter the air in the atmosphere and block the passage of all the tiny particles invisible to the naked eye so as to allow the worker to always breathe clean air only. To date, face pieces are the only way to avoid damage to the health of people working in contaminated environments. Compared to the past, these devices are not bulky, are lightweight and consequently do not hinder the movements that need to be performed on the job.
Various types of facepieces may be found on the market – disposable masks, suitable for use in areas where the dust concentration is very low – full face and half masks equipped with filters which offer different types of protection and which can be replaced quite easily – powered air purifying respirators run by rechargeable batteries which provide clean, filtered air to the inside of the face piece, preventing visor misting and generating a slight internal pressure which prevents any polluted environment air from entering the face piece.
Many workers consider this latter model to be the most efficient.
Protect yourself from asbestos thanks to protective masks
Among the jobs that cause the highest occupational health risks to workers, is treatment and disposal of asbestos. Asbestos is a substance which was widely used in the past because of its high insulating properties and, only after extensive use of this substance had been made in both the public and the private construction and industrial sectors, were its dangers made known. Asbestos products become dangerous in time when, owing to the natural wear and tear of the products, there is a release of asbestos fibres. As of today, asbestos reclamation and/or abatement is an ongoing business and whenever the need arises to remove asbestos from buildings or contaminated areas, all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid risks for the workers. Asbestos fibres expose workers to the risk of respiratory system irritation and lengthy exposure may lead to lung cancer.
Asbestos is a fibrous, non-combustible mineral and current legislation in many countries bans its extraction, importation and processing.
In the past, asbestos was used in the construction field, extensively. It was used mainly for insulation purposes or was mixed to other materials such as cement (Eternit) or to resins. The presence of asbestos itself is not necessarily dangerous – it becomes when its fibres are released into the environment.
The only way to work with asbestos, without being exposed to respiratory risks is to use respiratory protective devices for protection against asbestos. These need to be equipped with P3 particle filters which will block out even the smallest of particles, thus preventing the asbestos fibres which have been released into the atmosphere from reaching the pleura and lungs.
Asbestos reclamation and abatement also requires some physical effort on the part of the worker and it is important that a slight positive pressure builds up inside the face piece as this will make work under stress more comfortable and breathing easier.
Hence the need for workers on asbestos reclamation, abatement or removal jobs to protect their respiratory system with an appropriate powered air purifying device.
Kasco manufactures Category III respiratory protective devices with full face masks, namely, VENUS1 T5, VENUS1 T8 and VENUS1 M3 or ZENITH1 T5, ZENITH1 T8 and ZENITH1 M3 with P3 particle filters and equipped with battery powered blower units that provides filtered air directly to the face area. The power source for the blower unit is a battery which is worn on a belt at the wait. The air purified by the filter is conveyed to the inside of the mask through inhalation valves and passes over the inside of the visor thus preventing it from fogging up. The exhaled and any excess air is expelled from the face mask through an exhalation valve. Both full face mask models are certified to EN136: 1998 standard, have an almost natural field of vision and weigh less than 600 grams.
VENUS1 full face mask: single size, EPDM face blank, EN 148-1 connector.
ZENITH1 full face mask: in 3 sizes (S, M, L), silicone face blank, EN 148-1 connector.
Click here to see all the “Industrial range” respiratory protective devices manufactured by Kasco srl for working in industrial environments.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •