> N95 masks are very fashionable and are being distributed
> free at several locations, including some Lowe's and Home Depot stores.
While rarer and pricier than N95 masks, I went for P100 masks for my family. P100 masks/filters are rated as being 167 times more effective against particulates. The requirements for each:
N95 filters: block at least 95% of airborne particles > 0.3 microns[1]
P100 filters: block at least 99.97% of airborne particles > 0.3 microns[1]
When I was helping my sister comb through the ashes of her home this week (Thomas Fire), I brought P100 filter masks[3] for her and her husband, and I wore a 3M 6200 half-face respirator[7] with P100 filters[4]. I got both at Home Depot, but there are lots of P100 filters out there [5].
The data sheet for the P100 respirator filters I bought[2] recommended them for use vs. asbestos and coal dust (and powdered plutonium - I kid you not)
A disposable N95 mask runs about $2, vs. the $11 each I paid for the P100 masks, and the $7 per set (quantity 2) for the respirator filters (I had the respirator already), but I thought they were worth it.
While I haven't personally checked, I've been told the disposable P100 masks are more fatiguing than the N95 masks. Makes sense to me - I'd expect more pressure drop across a tighter filter. Another point in favor of the half-face respirator - there's a lot more intake area in the respirator filters than in the face mask, so less pressure drop.
I don't use respirators often - this is the second project I remember using mine for. The first time was 30 years ago when helping my wife refinish our floors - with the simple face mask, I was sneezing sawdust. I bought the respirator, and could not even smell the sawdust. They also make you look like a praying mantis. But after four hours of raking through ashes, I was happy to have mine. (I also wore rubber "mucking boots" over disposable Tyvek coveralls, and rubber gloves.).
The first time I used a respirator (not this one) was for a seriously hazmat summer job ( hand mixing powdered beryllium fluoride, for which I used a fume hood as well as the respirator), so I guess that's a 3rd time.
[1]
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-101/default.html[2] 3M Particulate Filter 2097, P100
[3]
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sperian-Hone...0-DSP/202814902[4]
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-P100-Particulate-Filters-2-Pair-2097PA1-A/202719894[5]
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/p100list1.html[6]
https://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/resources/dust-masks-whats-the-difference.html[7] https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Half-Facepiece-Reusable-Respirator-6200-07025-AAD-Medium-24-EA-Case?N=5002385+8709322+8711405+8720539+3294780295&rt=rud