Rating of the best respirators and dust masks for 2024

Respirators are personal respiratory protection equipment (RPE) against dust, gases, harmful, poisonous substances. Analyzing the rating of the best respirators and dust masks for 2024, you can choose a quality product that is suitable for the price, working conditions.

History of appearance

The first effective means of protecting against dust appeared thanks to Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Humboldt (16-18 century). The respirators were made of a cloth soaked in liquid, or a bag that covered the head and had holes for the eyes.

Moistened cotton and wool served as an additional filtering agent. The cleaning of harmful gases was carried out with lime and activated carbon. Chemist John Stenhouse (Scotland) invented the first respirator with an activated carbon filter. Fire respirator developed by John Tyndall (England, 1871) consisted of two layers: carbon, wool (soaked in calcium hydroxide, glycerin).

What are

Respirators are classified as personal protective equipment (PPE) along with overalls, goggles, gloves.

The respiratory organs (nose, bronchi, lungs) can be exposed to different threats, exposure to substances (leading to diseases):

• gases (often colorless, odorless);
• evaporation of metals (at high temperatures - small, solid particles);
• dust (small parts dissolved in the air);
• vapors (substances that change their structure at different temperatures);
• fogs (spraying, condensation of liquids).

Modern respirators differ in different ways:

1. Term of use.
2. Protection mechanism type.
3. Device.
4. Application (industrial, household, medical).

Term of use

From the time of application, there are:

• disposable - used once (2-8 hours);
• reusable - various types of removable filters are used.

Defense mechanism

Respirators differ in protection mechanisms, the way polluted air enters. There are two main types of RPE:

1. Filtering products.
2. Insulating protective equipment.

Filtering

Contaminated air enters through cleaning filters. There are models:

• anti-dust;
• gas mask;
• universal (simultaneously capable of cleaning from dust, gas impurities).

Dust filters trap dust particles through electrostatic discharge, a fibrous structure.The most common filtering material for dust is FP (Petryanov filter), model "Petal" (first copy 1957) - disposable, protection against dust, aerosols.

Gas masks - contain catalysts, sorbents. Protect when working with chemicals (inorganic acids, chlorine vapors, gasoline, acetone).

Universal (combined) models have several filters that differ in functionality. Such types are considered reliable, the cost is higher than that of monofunctional models.

Respirators with anti-spark treatment, carbon filter are used for welding.

Filtering types of respirators differ in their ability to retain harmful substances - protection class, filtering activity class. It is designated by the letters FFP (abbreviation "Filtering Face Piece" - filtering half mask).

There are three classes (European standard EN-149: 2001):

1. FFP1.
2. FFP2.
3. FFP3.

The MPC value is applied - the maximum permissible concentration of impurities.

FFP1 models

Retain 78-80% of dust, solid, liquid aerosol particles. Effectively protect if MPC (2 mg / m3) is increased by 4 times (non-toxic dust). Apply:

• construction (work with cement, gypsum, plaster);
• Agriculture;
• food industry;
• woodworking;
• mines, quarries;
• smoky rooms, fog;
• allergy - pollen.

FFP2 models

Protect from 92-94% of impurities, maximum concentration limit - 12 times. Used where harmful (carcinogenic) dust. Applicable:

• industry (mining, metallurgical, chemical);
• mines;
• woodworking.

FFP3 models

They are used at high concentrations of toxic substances in the atmosphere. Absorb 98-99% of harmful impurities, bacteria, viruses. MPC - an increase of 30 times. Applicable:

• welding, soldering;
• production using poisons, radioactive substances (arsenic, strychnine, radium, cobalt);
• biochemical, viral laboratories.

EU countries carry out additional tests (standards EN 149: 2001 + A1: 2009). The dolomite test is carried out in a test chamber where the concentration of dolomite dust is known. The functions of high-quality respirators do not deteriorate for 8 hours (the air permeability of the product, breathing resistance is checked).

Insulating

Clean air is supplied from a separate cylinder (self-contained type). Professional stand-alone models use a regenerative cartridge that purifies the inhaled air for reuse. Hose type - clean air is supplied only with a small amount of oxygen in the air used.

Device

A respirator consists of two main parts:

1. Facial part - mask (all over the face), half mask (nose, mouth, chin).
2. Filter element - filters (replaceable, included in the half mask).

Filters

Purify the air using substances:

• activated carbon (carbon filter);
• electrostatic charged material (small air particles are attracted, settle);
• knitted fibers, meltblown, spunbond.

Special protection (excess of chemical elements) is provided by cartridges with their own letter marking:

1. "A" - protection against organic compounds (ethers, gasoline, phosphorus, chlorine).
2. "B" - acid gases.
3. "G" - mercury vapor.
4. "KD" - ammonia, hydrogen compounds.

Additional elements are:

• nose bridge clamps (metal, plastic plates);
• rubber, silicone straps (fixation on the headband, ears).

Some types of respirators have exhalation valves with a special membrane that closes when inhaling, opens when exhaling. The valve removes moist, warm air from the mask - increases efficiency, product life, cools the face (does not fog up).

Application

Respirators protect the respiratory system in different situations:

• industry (metallurgy, chemical, mining);
• Agriculture;
• repair of an apartment, house (domestic use);
• medicine (sterile - operations, non-sterile types - protection from bacteria, viruses).

How to choose

Before choosing a respirator, it is worth deciding on the factors - working conditions, frequency of use of the product, substances that will be used.

• What are the work conditions

Upcoming work will take place outdoors, where there is a low concentration of dust particles, or in a room that is well ventilated - a half mask (class FFP1, FFP2) will do. Protection of mucous eyes, ears in a closed room - a closed panoramic mask, chemical cartridges with an expiration date indicator.

• Frequency of use

Disposable models - short-term use (allergy period, door painting). Reusable types (removable filters) - frequent use (professional activity).

• Composition of substances

The type of paint used by the spray gun (painting work) - powder (anti-aerosol filter), water-based - additional protection against organic matter fumes.

Selection Tips

You can buy any type of respirator in specialized stores (construction, with IZ products), online stores (mandatory possibility of returning goods - specifying the size, compliance with GOST).

The size

There are three sizes (indicated on the inside, underside of the mask). You should measure the height of the face - the distance from the lower point of the chin to the large depression of the bridge of the nose (with a measuring tape).

Size 1 - less than 110 mm; 2 - 110-119 mm; 3 - more than 120 mm.

You can avoid mistakes by following the recommendations:

1. Before using the respirator, you need to inspect its appearance (visible defects).
2. Study the instructions, the diagram of the correct location of the clamps (elastic bands, straps).
3. Try on the product - tight fit to the front surface, no pressure of individual parts.
4. The mouth, nose, chin (eyes - panoramic mask) must be tightly closed.
5. Checking the tightness (products with a valve): close the valve with your palm, take a breath. If the air does not pass - a suitable size, passes - strengthen the catches of the bridge of the nose, try on a different size.

Moisture that accumulates under the product can be released through the valve (head should be tilted forward). If there is no valve, remove the respirator for 1-2 minutes, wipe the inside with a clean cloth.

The tightness is disturbed when wearing glasses, having a mustache, beard.

Additional tips:

• compliance with quality certificates (GOST);
• availability of replaceable filters, cartridges (free sale);
• ease of use (adjustment of harnesses, quick filter change, clogging indicator);
• if necessary, use other protective equipment (rubber gloves, goggles, overalls).

Rating of the best respirators and dust masks for 2024

A review of the best respirators was compiled based on reviews from buyers of popular Internet resources (stores, manufacturer sites). Reusable types require careful selection (size, ease of wearing, fixation).

Half masks

Presented by models that cover part of the face (mouth, nose, chin). There are disposable (2-6 hours), reusable types. products.

Respirator ISTOK 300 A1B1 1 pc.

Manufacturer Istok (Russia). Filtering principle of work. Protection against gases, dust. There are 2 removable filters (carbon), an exhalation valve. Complies with GOST. Weight - 290 g.

• cost;
• the smell of gasoline, acetone is not felt;
• replaceable filters;
• resource of each filter - 60 hours;
• the ability to clean the filter at home.

• loose fit;
• no nose clip.

Respirator 3M 8101-1 1 pc.

Manufacturer - ЗМ (USA). Filtering principle of work. Protection class FFP1. Compliance with GOST requirements. Metallic overlay on the bridge of the nose.

• soft material;
• comfortable design;
• there is a nose clip.

• not found.

Respirator ISTOK RPG-67 1 pc.

Manufacturer - Istok (Russia). Product material - elastomer. Protection - gases, vapors, aerosols. There are 2 filters (against gases - carbon disulfide, gasoline, kerosene), an exhalation valve. Width - 21.3 cm, height - 15.7 cm.Weight - 0.58 kg. Scope - construction, household needs.

• removable filters;
• belts are adjustable;
• additional protection against viruses - 80% (A1 filter).

• loose fit in the bridge of the nose;
• getting started - bad smell.

Respirator Sibrtech 89250 1 pc.

Russian manufacturer - Sibrtech. Protection class - FFP1. Filtering principle of operation. There is an exhalation valve.

The maximum concentration of the pollutant is up to 4 MPC

• convenient;
• reusable (several days).

• not found.

Respirator 3M Aura 9332+ 1 pc.

Manufacturer - 3M (USA). The principle of operation is filtering. Contamination - aerosol. Protection class FFP3, maximum permissible concentration - 50. Parabolic exhalation valve. Can be folded. Usage time is 6-8 hours.

• compact form;
• fits snugly;
• does not distort speech;
• high protection class.

• disposable;
• cost.

Panoramic respirators

The products consist of a transparent mask (polymer material) that tightly covers the entire face. There are several filter elements, an output filter.

Panoramic mask SORBENT UNIX 5100 Res 121

Manufactured by the Russian brand "AO Sorbent". Used with various filters (mount - bayonet). The presence of an exit valve, an intercom. Fastening with buckles - 5 points. Glass material - polycarbonate. Finish - silicone. Product length - 23 cm, width - 18, 8 cm, height - 12, 8 cm.Weight - 0, 68 kg. Compliance with GOST (Russia), EU standards.

• universal size;
• does not fog up;
• double obturator of the seal;
• intercom.

• the kit does not contain filters.

Full Face Mask Delta Plus M9300 STRAP GALAXY M9300NO

Manufacturer - Delta Plus brand (France). Glass material - polycarbonate (viewing angle 210⁰). Finish - silicone. Adjustment - 4 belts. Phonic system, 3 inhalation valves. 1 expiratory valve. Parameters: length - 25.6 cm, height - 15.6 cm, width - 19.8 cm.Weight of the product - 820 g.

The set contains a bag (storage of the product), a shoulder strap (carrying).

• reliable fixation;
• a wide range of suitable filter types;
• cost.

• sold without filters.

Panoramic mask SORBENT MAG Pro 028

The Russian brand is JSC Sorbent. Material - glass, rubber. Valve box - valves for exhalation, inhalation, intercom. Parameters: width - 210 mm, length - 220 mm, height - 130 mm. Weight - 800 g.

• structural rigidity;
• cost;
• universal size;
• snug fit.

• additional purchase of filters.

Panoramic mask 6900 for replaceable cartridges 3M r.L, without filters 7100015052

Manufacturer - 3M (USA). Protection up to 100 MPC (vapors, dust, gases), 200 MPC (aerosol, fog). Material - thermoplastic elastomer. Glass - resistant to mechanical damage, fogging, has a wide viewing angle. There are valves for inhalation, exhalation. Mount - bayonet. Product parameters: length - 24 cm, height - 14 cm, width - 20 cm.Product weight - 400 g.

• the glass does not fog up;
• light mask;
• the ability to change cleaners.

• cost.

Sorbent Mag-2 / UNIX 5000 / Res 099

The manufacturer is the Russian company Sorbent JSC. Boyonet filter fixation system. Increased surface resistance (resistance to mechanical damage). There is an exhalation valve - the ability to speak. Weight - 650 g.

• harness adjustment - fits all sizes;
• does not fog up during prolonged work;
• different types of filters are suitable;
• quality certificates (Russia, EU).

• filters are not included.

Output

Respirators help to maintain health when working in hazardous enterprises, with various chemicals, bacteria, viruses. By choosing a quality product that suits certain conditions (supplementing with other means - clothes, gloves), you can get the job done faster, better, while maintaining your health!