Asbestos Hazard Alert: Respirators Used to Purify Air in Construction

Read the report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) with information about air purifying respirators, which are used by construction and other workers. In addition to dust and debris, construction trade workers are at risk for asbestos exposure, a dangerous substance that can cause serious lung diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

There are two types of respirators: Supplied Air and Air Purifying.

Air-purifying respirators clean the air you breathe. Some have a blower to make it easier to breathe. But they do not provide oxygen.

Air-purifying respirators are disposable or rubber or rubber-like masks. One may cover your whole face or part of your face.

Each mask has 1 or 2 filters or cartridges that get changed. You must have the right filter or cartridge for each hazard.

Filters can protect against tiny particles, dusts, mists, or fumes. Filters have the letters “HEPA” or have a letter and number like P-100 or N-95. The letters tell if the filter works when there is oil in the air:

– N means Not resistant to oil
– R means Resistant to oil
– P means oil-Proof.

A bigger number after the letter means the filter protects better. (For dusts like asbestos, lead, and silica, you must use a HEPA or a 100 filter). You must change a filter when it is hard to breathe through.

Other helpful links:

Asbestos Asbestos
Asbestos and lung cancer Asbestos and lung cancer
Mesothelioma attorney Mesothelioma attorney
Mesothelioma Lawyer Mesothelioma lawyer
Asbestos attorney Asbestos attorney