Rating of the best respirators and dust masks for 2022

Respirators are means of personal respiratory protection (PPE) against dust, gases, harmful, toxic substances. Analyzing the rating of the best respirators and dust masks for 2022, you can choose a quality product that is suitable for the price and working conditions.

History of appearance

The first effective means of protection against dust appeared thanks to Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Humbold (16-18 century). Respirators were made of cloth soaked in a liquid, or a bag that covered the head, had holes for the eyes.

Moistened cotton and wool served as an additional filter medium. Purification of harmful gases was carried out with lime, activated carbon. Chemist John Stenhouse (Scotland) invented the first activated carbon filter respirator. The fire respirator developed by John Tyndall (England, 1871) consisted of two layers: carbon, wool (impregnated with calcium hydroxide, glycerin).

What are

Respirators are classified as personal protective equipment (PPE) along with overalls, goggles, gloves.

Respiratory organs (nose, bronchi, lungs) can be exposed to various threats, exposure to substances (leading to diseases):

• gases (often colorless, odorless);
• evaporation of metals (at high temperature - small, solid particles);
• dust (small particles dissolved in the air);
• vapors (substances that change their structure at different temperatures);
• fogs (spray, liquid condensate).

Modern respirators differ according to different criteria:

1. Term of use.
2. The type of protection mechanism.
3. Device.
4. Application (industrial, household, medical).

Term of use

From the time of application allocate:

• disposable - used once (2-8 hours);
• reusable - various types of removable filters are used.

Protection mechanism

Respirators differ in protection mechanisms, the way polluted air enters. There are two main types of RPE:

1. Filter products.
2. Insulating protective equipment.

Filtering

Polluted air enters through the cleaning filters. There are models:

• anti-dust;
• gas masks;
• universal (simultaneously able to clean from dust, gas impurities).

Anti-dust filters detain dust particles by means of the electrostatic discharge, fibrous structure. The most common dust filter material is FP (Petryanov filter), the Petal model (the first copy was made in 1957) - disposable, protection against dust, aerosols.

Anti-gas - contain catalysts, sorbents. Protect when working with chemicals (inorganic acids, chlorine vapor, gasoline, acetone).

Universal (combined) models have several filters that differ in functionality. Such types are considered reliable, the cost is higher than that of monofunctional models.

For welding work, respirators with spark treatment and a carbon filter are used.

Filtering types of respirators differ in their ability to retain harmful substances - protection class, class of filtering activity. It is designated by the letters FFP (abbreviation "Filtering Face Piece" - filtering half mask).

There are three classes (European standard EN-149:2001):

1. FFP1.
2. FFP2.
3. FFP3.

The MPC value is applied - the maximum permissible concentration of impurities.

Models FFP1

Detain 78-80% of dust, firm, liquid aerosol particles. They effectively protect if MPC (2 mg/m3) is increased by 4 times (non-toxic dust). Apply:

• construction (work with cement, gypsum, plaster);
• Agriculture;
• food industry;
• woodworking;
• mines, quarries;
• smoky rooms, fog;
• allergy - plant pollen.

FFP2 Models

Protect from 92-94% of impurities, MPC - 12 times. Used where harmful (carcinogenic) dust. Apply:

• industry (mining, metallurgical, chemical);
• mines;
• woodworking.

Models FFP3

They are used at high concentrations of toxic substances in the atmosphere. Absorb 98-99% of harmful impurities, bacteria, viruses. MPC - increase 30 times. Apply:

• welding, soldering;
• production using poisons, radioactive substances (arsenic, strychnine, radium, cobalt);
• biochemical, viral laboratories.

EU countries carry out additional tests (norms EN 149:2001 + A1:2009). The dolomite test is carried out in a test chamber where the concentration of dolomite dust is known. The functions of high-quality respirators do not deteriorate for 8 hours (the air permeability of the product, breathing resistance are checked).

insulating

Clean air is supplied from a separate cylinder (autonomous type). Professional self-contained models use a regenerative cartridge that purifies the inhaled air for reuse. Hose type - clean air enters only with a small amount of oxygen in the air used.

Device

The respirator consists of two main parts:

1. The front part is a mask (for the whole face), a half mask (nose, mouth, chin).
2. Filter element - filters (replaceable, included in the half mask).

Filters

Purify the air with the help of substances:

• activated carbon (charcoal filter);
• electrostatic charged material (small air particles are attracted, settle);
• knitted fibers, meltblown, spunbond.

Special protection (excess of chemical elements) is provided by cartridges that have their own letter marking:

1. "A" - protection against organic compounds (ethers, gasoline, phosphorus, chlorine).
2. "B" - gases of acids.
3. "G" - mercury vapor.
4. "KD" - ammonia, hydrogen compounds.

Additional elements are:

• nose bridge clamps (metal, plastic plates);
• rubber, silicone straps (fixation on the headband, ears).

Some types of respirators have exhalation valves with a special membrane that closes when you inhale and opens when you exhale. The valve removes moist, warm air from the mask - increases efficiency, service life of the product, cools the face (does not fog up).

Application

Respirators protect the respiratory system in different situations:

• industry (metallurgy, chemical, mining);
• Agriculture;
• repair of an apartment, house (domestic use);
• medicine (sterile - operations, non-sterile types - protection against bacteria, viruses).

How to choose

Before choosing a respirator, it is worth deciding on factors - working conditions, frequency of use of the product, substances that will be used.

• What are the work conditions

The upcoming work will take place outdoors, where the concentration of dust particles is low, or in a room that is well ventilated - a half mask (class FFP1, FFP2) will do. Protection of mucous eyes, ears of an enclosed space - a closed panoramic mask, chemical cartridges with an expiration date indicator.

• Frequency of use

Disposable models - short-term use (allergy period, door painting). Reusable types (removable filters) - frequent use (professional activities).

• Composition of substances

Type of paint used by the spray gun (painting) - powder (anti-aerosol filter), water-based - additional protection against evaporation of organic substances.

Selection Tips

You can buy any type of respirator in specialized stores (construction, with means of IZ), online stores (mandatory possibility of returning goods - specification of size, compliance with GOST).

The size

There are three sizes (indicated on the inside, bottom side of the mask). The height of the face should be measured - the distance from the lower point of the chin to the large depression of the bridge of the nose (measuring tape).

Size 1 - less than 110 mm; 2 - 110-119 mm; 3 - more than 120 mm.

You can avoid mistakes by following the recommendations:

1. Before using the respirator, you need to examine its appearance (visible defects).
2. Study the instructions, the diagram of the correct location of the clamps (elastic bands, straps).
3. Try on the product - a snug fit to the front surface, no pressure of individual parts.
4. Mouth, nose, chin (eyes - panoramic mask) should be tightly closed.
5. Leak test (products with a valve): close the valve with the palm of your hand, inhale. If the air does not pass - the right size, passes - strengthen the bridge of the nose, try on another size.

Moisture that accumulates under the product can be released through the valve (the head should be tilted forward). If there is no valve, remove the respirator for 1-2 minutes, wipe the inside with a clean cloth.

The tightness of the fit is violated when wearing glasses, the presence of a mustache, beard.

Additional Tips:

• compliance with quality certificates (GOST);
• availability of replaceable filters, cartridges (free sale);
• ease of use (adjustment of harnesses, quick filter change, contamination indicator);
• if necessary, use other protective equipment (rubber gloves, goggles, overalls).

Rating of the best respirators and dust masks for 2022

The review of the best respirators is based on customer reviews of popular Internet resources (shops, manufacturers' websites). Reusable types require careful selection (size, wearing comfort, fixation).

Half masks

Represented by models that cover part of the face (mouth, nose, chin). There are disposable (2-6 hours), reusable types. products.

Respirator ISTOK 300 A1B1 1 pc.

Producer Istok (Russia). filtering principle. Protection against gases, dust. There are 2 removable filters (coal), exhalation valve. Corresponds to GOST. Weight - 290 g.

• price;
• no smell of gasoline, acetone;
• replaceable filters;
• the resource of each filter is 60 hours;
• the ability to clean the filter at home.

• loose fit;
• no nose clip.

Respirator 3M 8101-1 1 pc.

Producer - ZM (USA). filtering principle. Protection class FFP1. Compliance with GOST requirements. Metal nose pad.

• soft material;
• convenient design;
• There is a nose clip.

• not found.

Respirator ISTOK RPG-67 1 pc.

Producer - Istok (Russia). The product material is elastomer. Protection - gases, vapors, aerosol. There are 2 filters (against gases - carbon disulfide, gasoline, kerosene), an exhalation valve. Width - 21.3 cm, height - 15.7 cm. Weight - 0.58 kg. Scope - construction, domestic needs.

• removable filters;
• straps are adjustable;
• additional protection against viruses - 80% (filter A1).

• loose fit in the region of the nose;
• the beginning of work - an unpleasant smell.

Respirator Sibrtech 89250 1 pc.

Russian manufacturer - Sibrtech. Protection class - FFP1. filtering principle. There is an exhalation valve.

The maximum concentration of a pollutant is up to 4 MPC

• comfortable;
• reusable (several days).

• not found.

Respirator 3M Aura 9332+ 1 pc.

Manufacturer - 3M (USA). The principle of operation is filtering. Pollution - aerosol. Protection class FFP3, MPC - 50. Parabolic exhalation valve. Can be folded. Usage time - 6-8 hours.

• compact form;
• close fitting;
• does not distort speech;
• high protection class.

• disposable;
• price.

Panoramic respirators

Products consist of a transparent mask (polymer material) that tightly covers the entire face. There are several filter elements, an output filter.

Panoramic mask SORBENT UNIX 5100 Res 121

Manufactured by the Russian brand JSC Sorbent. It is used with various filters (mount - bayonet). Existence of the exit valve, the intercom. Fastening with buckles - 5 points. The glass material is polycarbonate. Finishing - silicone. Product length - 23 cm, width - 18.8 cm, height - 12.8 cm. Weight - 0.68 kg. Compliance with GOST standards (Russia), EU.

• universal size;
• does not sweat;
• double obturator seal;
• intercom.

• The kit does not include filters.

Full face mask Delta Plus M9300 STRAP GALAXY M9300NO

Producer - brand Delta Plus (France). Glass material - polycarbonate (viewing angle 210⁰).Finishing - silicone. Adjustment - 4 straps. Phonic system, 3 inhalation valves. 1 exhalation valve. Parameters: length - 25.6 cm, height - 15.6 cm, width - 19.8 cm. Product weight - 820 g.

The set contains a bag (product storage), a shoulder strap (carrying).

• reliable fixation;
• a wide range of suitable filter types;
• price.

• sold without filters.

Panoramic mask SORBENT MAG Pro 028

The Russian brand is AO Sorbent. Material - glass, rubber. Valve box - exhalation, inhalation valves, intercom. Parameters: width - 210 mm, length - 220 mm, height - 130 mm. Weight - 800 g.

• structural rigidity;
• price;
• universal size;
• tight fit.

• additional purchase of filters.

Panoramic mask 6900 for interchangeable cartridges 3M p.L, without filters 7100015052

Manufacturer - 3M (USA). Protection up to 100 MPC (fumes, dust, gases), 200 MPC (aerosol, fog). Material: thermoplastic elastomer. Glass - resistant to mechanical damage, fogging, has a wide viewing angle. There are inhalation and exhalation valves. Mount - bayonet. Product parameters: length - 24 cm, height - 14 cm. Width - 20 cm. Product weight - 400 g.

• glass does not fog up;
• light mask;
• the ability to change cleaners.

• price.

Sorbent Mag-2 /UNIX 5000/ Res 099

The manufacturer is the Russian company AO Sorbent. Bayonet system for fixing filters. Increased surface resistance (resistance to mechanical damage). There is an exhalation valve - the ability to speak. Weight - 650 g.

• adjustable straps - fits all sizes;
• does not fog up during prolonged work;
• suitable for different types of filters;
• quality certificates (Russia, EU).

• filters are not included.

Conclusion

Respirators help to maintain health when working at hazardous enterprises, with various chemicals, bacteria, viruses. By choosing a quality product that suits certain conditions (adding other means - clothes, gloves), you can do the job faster, better, while maintaining your health!