Proper Care and Fitting of Respirators for Lead Dust Protection
Workers need more than paper masks when lead dust starts flying
The basic piece of safety equipment for workers exposed to lead dust is a properly fitted half-face respirator equipped with purple HEPA filters. Many do-it-yourselfers can use an N100 series disposable respirator, but mustaches and beards present a special problem.
In this video, Robert F. MacDuff and James L. Scott, C.I.H. of EnviroScience Consultants inc. [sic] in Newington, Connecticut, explain some procedures to be followed for proper fitting and maintenance of these breathing protection devices.
There’s a lot more information you need to know about lead-paint removal. For a start, read Tom’s article, Lead-Paint Safety, at Home and on the Job. For an online directory of professional fit-testers, visit The American Industrial Hygiene Association at: www.aiha.org.
