Tomboy Tip - How To Use a Respirator

What is a Respirator?
In an industrial work place we are often required to have our own respirator. That's all well and good, but what if you don't know what one looks like?

Is this it?

No, this is a dust mask.

There are many types of respirators with varying levels of protection out there. Hopefully by the time I'm done, you will have a basic understanding of what you need.

A basic respirator.

See those things on each side?.

Those are referred to as either "Canisters" or "Cartridges"

No, you didn't break it.

They are removable.

Here is the one that I use, you will notice that I have purple canisters on mine. Canister types are important. Not only do they last a finite amount of time and need to be changed out, but they come in different levels of protection. Canisters are removable and sometimes respirators come without them. If yours is missing them, your respirator is useless. 

Purple Canisters are for harmful vapors and have a charcoal filter in them. Most of the time you will not need something so heavy duty, and the standard set that comes with the respirator is sufficient for most things. If you are using aerosol cans or other off-gassing materials, you will indeed need something with a charcoal filter in it.

Now that we know what a respirator is, and we have one, with cartridges sufficient for the project we are using them for, how do we put one on?

How to determine if your respirator is fitted properly.

1. Put it on over your mouth, nose and chin. Adjust straps. (If you have dreadlocks this is a little tricky.) 

2. Breath out and with your hand locate where the air is escaping from the mask. It should be in the middle near your chin. This is called the "Exhalation Valve".

3. Block the "Exhalation Valve" and try to breath out. 

If you have a good seal against your face no air will escape from the mask. If you have gaps between your face and the mask air will escape you will need to re-adjust the straps to be tighter.

4. Breath in and with your hand locate where the air is flowing into the mask. Is should be through either a set of filters off to the sides or one filter in the center front of the mask. This is called the "Inhalation Valve".

5. Use your hand or hands to block the "Inhalation Valve" and try breathing in.


If you have a good seal against your face you will not be able to pull air through the mask. If air gets in through the seal against your face you will, need to re-adjust the straps to be tighter.

6. repeat until the seal against your face is tight.

 NOTE: If you find that no matter how tight you make the straps that your respirator lets air escape that means you have one that's TOO BIG. Make sure to purchase the correct size.

We now have the respirator. We have proper canisters. It fits well, works well and we've named it Irma, where do we put it when not in use?

Proper Care of a respirator.

1. Cleaning.
There are a myriad of cleaners and such out there just for your respirator  I like to use Isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth. It's cheap and effective. Use the cloth and alcohol to wipe the rubber gasket that seals the mask to your face. Give a gentile sweep to the inside of the gasket where you breath. 

NOTE: It's important not to share respirators for the same reason you don't share lipstick and for the added reason that you don't want to breath in someone else's mouth filth.

2. Storage
To keep your respirator canisters working to the best of their ability keep the entire respirator in a sealed plastic bag when not in use. Make sure it's dry before sealing it up.

3. When to change out canisters
I have heard a good rule of thumb is every 2 weeks under constant use for 8 hour days. I stretch mine out a bit longer, but it's good to check with your boss about this. Just because you don't smell anything doesn't mean your canisters are still good. 

"According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the time a respirator cartridge can last depends on the conditions of the environment. OSHA has posted a general rule of thumb for the life of a cartridge, "If the chemical's boiling point is > 70 degrees C and the concentration is less than 200 ppm, you can expect a service life of 8 hours at a normal work rate."

I know this sounds short, but if you use it for an hour here and and hour there, and keep your respirator sealed and clean, 16 hours can last over a period of several weeks.

If you follow my general guidelines you will at least know what your doing when it comes to proper fit and care of your respirator. Now, go out and show 'em how it's done!

Tomboys unite!
<3 Tiger

My current line of work is that of an industrial nature. I make hand crafted stop motion puppets, props and sets. I use power tools and work in an environment with toxic materials. Even early in life when I did my best to have "girlish" careers they where the "skilled behind the scenes type of job". My first paying job at the tender age of 14 was that of a seamstress. I worked with industrial machines, made patterns, and designed clothing. I started out as a swim suit model for the company I ultimately ended up making clothing for.