In this post we will look at a customer who was working with bleach and mold. This customer will need a respirator mask and filters to protect against both. We will look at what combinations do that:
I am looking for a respirator and respirator cartridges to protect me while I apply a bleach solution to my entire attic to kill mold. What would be the correct combination of mask and filters for that application?
This poses an interesting question. In looking at a mask and filters, we need to find a combination that protects you both from the bleach vapors, and also from the spores of the growing mold. First let’s look at respirator masks.
When using chlorine bleach, we want to use a full face respirator (vs. half mask) since bleach can affect all mucous membranes. This means that bleach will affect the eyes and nose, especially in close quarters with poor ventilation, like in an attic. For the full face mask, I recommend the 6800 Full Facepiece Respirator Mask by 3M. It is comfortable, seals well, and offers great protection for the price point.
If you were simply being exposed to mold spores, I would still recommend 6800 Full Facepiece Mask because the eyes present a pathway for mold spores to enter your body. Depending on the type of mold, and your sensitivity, this can be quite a problem. With exposure to either bleach or mold, you need to protect your mouth/lungs, nose and eyes.
For the filter cartridge, you will need a combination of a multi-gas cartridge and a P100 (HEPA) filter to protect you from the bleach vapors and mold spores respectively. The filter cartridge that does this the best is the 3M 60926 Multi-Gas/P100 Cartridge.
Once you have the mask/filter combination on, you should not be able to smell or taste the bleach. When you start to, it is time to change the cartridges. There is no set time, and this is the only indication that the life of the cartridge has been expended. They are then disposed of.
Mold spores and bleach vapors are not something you want to be exposed to, especially in poorly ventilated areas. Making sure that you have the right respirator mask and filter is essential for keeping yourself safe. If you have any questions about which mask and filters to use in your application, please feel free to contact us and ask.
Is there a cheaper filter I could use for just bleach? I don’t need protection from mold spores.
Hi Mike,
You could certainly use something like the Moldex 2500 mask (http://www.pksafety.com/mo25agduma.html). It has nuisance-level protection from acid gas and bleach. However there are a couple of issues. First, if you are using a bleach solution to clean, it’s different than using it in your laundry. There is going to likely to be airborne droplets of bleach, and this can be really bad for your eyes. That’s why we recommend the full-face mask to begin with.
Wear eye protection if you are going to use that solution. But be careful. Safety glasses and respirators are notorious for not working well together. You may have the right type of face so it still works, but some folks won’t. Be careful there aren’t gaps around the safety glasses that bleach can get past. I personally like these low-profile chemical splash goggles for under $5 – http://www.pksafety.com/pyramex-goggle-704-chemical.html.
The next step up from the disposable mask will be using a regular half-face mask with the 3M Multi-Gas Cartridge. You are still going to have the same issues with eye protection, but you’ll be able to stand a stronger bleach mixture.
Finally, remember that these fumes can be mitigated with some good air flow. A fan blowing fresh air in will help. Do what you can to improve ventilation.
Good luck. Let us know if you have other questions. This is the kind of stuff we love to talk about.
Justin
PK Safety