Recently I was at the Home Depot buying respirators, when I met a man who was unsure of the type of respirator he needed for asbestos removal. We’ve all heard of the dangers of asbestos, but many people don’t realize that even in small quantities, airborne asbestos can damage the lungs and lead to serious illness or lung cancer.

My friend at the Home Depot was reaching for an N95 respirator, a simple surgical mask that does not offer the adequate protection for asbestos removal. Thankfully, I was able to point him in the right direction before he made a perilous mistake. 

OSHA and other work safety standard agencies have developed detailed regulations concerning asbestos handling. For example, they place limits on exposure: OSHA requires that no employee be exposed to an airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter over an eight-hour period.

But choosing the proper PPE for asbestos can still be tricky. Because of liability issues, equipment manufacturers like Moldex and 3M do not label equipment as “asbestos-rated.” Still, it’s possible to make some recommendations about equipment best suited for asbestos-related work.

First, it’s good to keep in mind that any filters used for asbestos work must be rated P100 HEPA. The 3M 6000 Half Facepiece Respirator is a good choice for projects of a relatively short duration, while the soft silicon 3M 7500 Half Facepiece Respirator is better for projects that require more time. As always, remember that the correct fit is critical to the respirator’s efficiency.

While half-face respirators protect the lungs, full-face respirators protect both the lungs and the eyes. One such option is the 3M 6000 Full Facepiece Respirator. Another is the Moldex 9000 Full Face Respirator, which comes with P100 HEPA filters and multi-gas vapor cartridges. 

Another good respirator for asbestos projects is the 3M 6000 Lead and Asbestos Respirator Combination. It combines the 3M 6000 Half Facepiece Respirator with a pair of 3M 2091 P100 filters to help protect against asbestos, lead, cadmium dusts, and most types of welding. This respirator combination can also be used in indoor shooting ranges, where many people experience high levels of lead in their bloodstream due to poor ventilation.
The dangers of asbestos can’t be stressed enough. Remember to use asbestos protection when working with older heating vents or ducts, automotive brake linings, pipe insulation, or “popcorn” ceilings. In the end, using the proper PPE will reduce your exposure to asbestos and help prevent asbestos-related illness.

NOTE: AVERY CLEANING LLC does not provide asbestos abatement. Always use the service of Indoor Environmental Professional to sample the indoor environment if you have doubts or suspicions.