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How do you choose the right spray mask and filter?

The use of the right spray mask and filter is of essential importance when you or your employees perform work that involve contact with mist or particulate matter, such as spraying chemical crop protection agents. With proper use, a spray mask prevents health risks. In this article, our specialist lists what you should look out for when buying and using a spray mask.
Men wearing spraying mask
Leonie van Rooijen
Product specialist Crop Protection | May 14, 2020 | 4 min. reading time

Spray mask types 

There are different kinds of spray masks:
  • Dust mask: a dust mask protects against aerosols such as dust, mists and fibers. This mask is available in three classes, namely FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 (which stands for Filtering Facepiece Particles). FFP1 masks have the lowest protection level and FFP3 have the highest. Dust masks are disposable masks that are thrown away once they are saturated.
  • Half mask: this type of spray mask fits better on the face than a dust mask, reducing the chance of leaks and offering greater safety. This mask can be used in combination with safety goggles to protect the eye against spatter (but take care: safety goggles do not protect the eyes against gases and vapors!). 
  • Full face mask: this type of spray mask also fully protects the eyes, has greater wearing comfort and can withstand higher concentrations of substances. This makes this mask suitable for long-term use. You can combine this mask with all types of filters. A full face mask is used when working with harmful or irritating substances.
    There are half masks with one and two filters (also called single and double pattern masks). The benefit of a mask with two filters is that the weight is distributed better and the breathing resistance is lower. Note: filters that weigh more than 300 grams may not be attached to half-face masks. 
In the video below, crop protection specialist Daniëlle shows the different types of spray masks.   

Filters for spray mask

Half and full face masks feature filtersor filter tubes. Different filters protect against different dangers, including particulate matter, vapors and gases. That is why it is important to choose the right filter for your spray mask, so that you are optimally protected against this. There are different kinds of filters:
  • Dust filter: a dust filter protects - just like a dust mask - against small dust or liquid particles. It works just like a sieve; the finer the holes, the more dust is stopped. These filters for the spray mask are available in three classes, namely P1, P3 and P3.
    - P1: protects against bothersome, non-harmful dust.
    - P2: protects against harmful particulate matter.
    - P3: protects against toxic particulate matter. Preferably always use a P3 filter in combination with a full face mask.
    A very fine filter offers better protection, but makes it harder to breathe. In other words: a fine filter has a greater breathing resistance. Dust filters with an exhalation valve remedy this.
    There are four types of dust filters: for one-time use and for limited use (dust caps), for connection to masks and for connection to motorized vehicles. 
  • Gas filter: a gas filter offers the spray mask protection against gases and vapors with the help of activated carbon. A gas filter can work based on two principles:
    - Adsorption: this means the gases deposit on the activated carbon, but there is no chemical bonding.
    Chemisorption: this means there is a chemical reaction between the activated carbon and the gas or the vapor. 
  • Multiple gas filter: multiple gas filters protect against more than one group of gases and/or vapors. The most common multiple gas filters are AB filters (protect against organic vapors, solvents and acid gases) and ABEK filters (protect against organic vapors, acid gases, sulfur dioxide and ammonia). Multiple filters exist in protection class 1 and 2.
  • Combination filter: a combination filter protects against both gases and vapors as well as small dust or liquid particles. A combination filter for the spray mask is equipped with color coding, which allows you to read what dust class the filter protects against. The most used filter in greenhouse horticulture is the A2P3 filter. This is the combination filter with a high absorbing capacity for organic vapors and a particle filter against toxic particulate matter.
Filters are classified by means of a letter and a color code. Chemical products consist of: solids/particles (dust, fibers, micro-organisms), or volatile substances (gases and vapors). Through the color and letter codings, you can deduce which filter you need for the (chemical) substance you are dealing with.
Men wearing spraying mask

Points of attention for the use of a spray mask and filter

  • A spray mask must fully cover the mouth and nose and fit the face well. If you have a beard, keep in mind that the beard could mean the mask does not fit optimally. This can reduce the degree of protection by up to 50%! 
  • If you are not sure what dangerous substances you will deal with, it is best to use an ABEK filter (a combination filter of the type A2B2E2K2 HG P3R, called an ABEK filter for short). This type of filter offers the broadest possible protection. 
  • Do not take off the mask until after you leave the room with particulate matter, mist or gas.
  • The filter of the spray mask (or in case of a dust cap: the full mask) must be replaced in time. After all, if a filter becomes saturated, it will no longer offer optimal protection. You know a filter needs to be replaced if you smell and/or taste the gas or vapor. The odor limit is much lower than the limit value (this is the maximum acceptable concentration of a substance or gas in the workplace), so this is not harmful to health. 
  • The lifespan of a filter depends on the different conditions such a filter is used in. But there are a number of factors that affect the lifespan of a filter, such as the concentration of the pollution, combination of pollutants, breathing speed of the user, humidity, temperature and duration of use. These different factors make it impossible to estimate the lifespan. 
  • Filters and dust masks have a certain shelf life. If the shelf life has expired, then you may no longer use the filter or dust mask, as the operation is no longer guaranteed 100%. The expiry date is - depending on the type of filter or dust mask - three to five years after the production date.
  • Have masks checked annually during the mask inspection days. Approved spray masks are given an inspection certificate. This way, you meet the legal requirements for respiratory protection.
  • Regularly clean a spray mask. This prevents others from unintentionally coming into contact with the particulate matter that remains on the mask. It also extends the lifespan of the spray mask.
     
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Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Leonie van Rooijen will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

How do you choose the right spray mask and filter?

The use of the right spray mask and filter is of essential importance when you or your employees perform work that involve contact with mist or particulate matter, such as spraying chemical crop protection agents. With proper use, a spray mask prevents health risks. In this article, our specialist lists what you should look out for when buying and using a spray mask.
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Leonie van Rooijen, product specialist crop protection in greenhouse
Leonie van Rooijen
Product specialist Crop Protection | May 14, 2020 | 5 min. reading time
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Men wearing spraying mask

Spray mask types 

There are different kinds of spray masks:
  • Dust mask: a dust mask protects against aerosols such as dust, mists and fibers. This mask is available in three classes, namely FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 (which stands for Filtering Facepiece Particles). FFP1 masks have the lowest protection level and FFP3 have the highest. Dust masks are disposable masks that are thrown away once they are saturated.
  • Half mask: this type of spray mask fits better on the face than a dust mask, reducing the chance of leaks and offering greater safety. This mask can be used in combination with safety goggles to protect the eye against spatter (but take care: safety goggles do not protect the eyes against gases and vapors!). 
  • Full face mask: this type of spray mask also fully protects the eyes, has greater wearing comfort and can withstand higher concentrations of substances. This makes this mask suitable for long-term use. You can combine this mask with all types of filters. A full face mask is used when working with harmful or irritating substances.
    There are half masks with one and two filters (also called single and double pattern masks). The benefit of a mask with two filters is that the weight is distributed better and the breathing resistance is lower. Note: filters that weigh more than 300 grams may not be attached to half-face masks. 
In the video below, crop protection specialist Daniëlle shows the different types of spray masks.   

Filters for spray mask

Half and full face masks feature filtersor filter tubes. Different filters protect against different dangers, including particulate matter, vapors and gases. That is why it is important to choose the right filter for your spray mask, so that you are optimally protected against this. There are different kinds of filters:
  • Dust filter: a dust filter protects - just like a dust mask - against small dust or liquid particles. It works just like a sieve; the finer the holes, the more dust is stopped. These filters for the spray mask are available in three classes, namely P1, P3 and P3.
    - P1: protects against bothersome, non-harmful dust.
    - P2: protects against harmful particulate matter.
    - P3: protects against toxic particulate matter. Preferably always use a P3 filter in combination with a full face mask.
    A very fine filter offers better protection, but makes it harder to breathe. In other words: a fine filter has a greater breathing resistance. Dust filters with an exhalation valve remedy this.
    There are four types of dust filters: for one-time use and for limited use (dust caps), for connection to masks and for connection to motorized vehicles. 
  • Gas filter: a gas filter offers the spray mask protection against gases and vapors with the help of activated carbon. A gas filter can work based on two principles:
    - Adsorption: this means the gases deposit on the activated carbon, but there is no chemical bonding.
    Chemisorption: this means there is a chemical reaction between the activated carbon and the gas or the vapor. 
  • Multiple gas filter: multiple gas filters protect against more than one group of gases and/or vapors. The most common multiple gas filters are AB filters (protect against organic vapors, solvents and acid gases) and ABEK filters (protect against organic vapors, acid gases, sulfur dioxide and ammonia). Multiple filters exist in protection class 1 and 2.
  • Combination filter: a combination filter protects against both gases and vapors as well as small dust or liquid particles. A combination filter for the spray mask is equipped with color coding, which allows you to read what dust class the filter protects against. The most used filter in greenhouse horticulture is the A2P3 filter. This is the combination filter with a high absorbing capacity for organic vapors and a particle filter against toxic particulate matter.
Filters are classified by means of a letter and a color code. Chemical products consist of: solids/particles (dust, fibers, micro-organisms), or volatile substances (gases and vapors). Through the color and letter codings, you can deduce which filter you need for the (chemical) substance you are dealing with.
Men wearing spraying mask

Points of attention for the use of a spray mask and filter

  • A spray mask must fully cover the mouth and nose and fit the face well. If you have a beard, keep in mind that the beard could mean the mask does not fit optimally. This can reduce the degree of protection by up to 50%! 
  • If you are not sure what dangerous substances you will deal with, it is best to use an ABEK filter (a combination filter of the type A2B2E2K2 HG P3R, called an ABEK filter for short). This type of filter offers the broadest possible protection. 
  • Do not take off the mask until after you leave the room with particulate matter, mist or gas.
  • The filter of the spray mask (or in case of a dust cap: the full mask) must be replaced in time. After all, if a filter becomes saturated, it will no longer offer optimal protection. You know a filter needs to be replaced if you smell and/or taste the gas or vapor. The odor limit is much lower than the limit value (this is the maximum acceptable concentration of a substance or gas in the workplace), so this is not harmful to health. 
  • The lifespan of a filter depends on the different conditions such a filter is used in. But there are a number of factors that affect the lifespan of a filter, such as the concentration of the pollution, combination of pollutants, breathing speed of the user, humidity, temperature and duration of use. These different factors make it impossible to estimate the lifespan. 
  • Filters and dust masks have a certain shelf life. If the shelf life has expired, then you may no longer use the filter or dust mask, as the operation is no longer guaranteed 100%. The expiry date is - depending on the type of filter or dust mask - three to five years after the production date.
  • Have masks checked annually during the mask inspection days. Approved spray masks are given an inspection certificate. This way, you meet the legal requirements for respiratory protection.
  • Regularly clean a spray mask. This prevents others from unintentionally coming into contact with the particulate matter that remains on the mask. It also extends the lifespan of the spray mask.
     
Related products
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Leonie van Rooijen will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Leonie van Rooijen, product specialist crop protection and disinfection
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