GorgonGal Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 I've been doing preparation for four years now and have tried various masks but none seem to work for me. I've used the disposable ones and the hard ones, but since I use a microscope for preparation all they seem to do is restrict me or send all the air I'm breathing out upwards and steam up the eye pieces! I have a pretty narrow nose so I sit pretty close to my microscope. I've found when I do wear the disposable masks I end up pulling it under my nose - pretty much defeats the purpose. I was just wondering what others around the world use? I know it's dangerous to not wear a mask, and that's what I'm currently doing. For ear protection I use some noise cancelling headphones - best investment I ever made! They are a million times better than earplugs or earphones in my experience, and you can still hear when people are talking to you. Any general notes or suggestions on PPE used around the world would be great! Tiffany Uncovering the late Permian one fossil at a time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 I know 3M makes a non-disposable mask with the filter bays on the side like this: Not sure if this type qualifies as being among the "hard" ones you have used and found suboptimal. That being said, you might be able to avoid the use of masks entirely if you have a blast box with a good vacuum/suction system attached. ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GorgonGal Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 8 minutes ago, Kane said: I know 3M makes a non-disposable mask with the filter bays on the side like this: Not sure if this type qualifies as being among the "hard" ones you have used and found suboptimal. That being said, you might be able to avoid the use of masks entirely if you have a blast box with a good vacuum/suction system attached. Luckily I work with micro vertebrates so I don't make a huge amount of dust. Those look awesome, I love the pink! But they would get in the way of my microscope, as would a blast box I'm afraid but I think some kind of extractor would definitely work better than no mask at all! Thanks for the ideas! Tiffany Uncovering the late Permian one fossil at a time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolmt Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 I have that one and it is terrible to use with a scope. I have not found anything better than the disposable ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 I use the 3M one, although not the pink version and I can swear by it. Thing is I hardly ever have to use a microscope. Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptychodus04 Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 I use this very respirator and have no trouble with my microscope. Or with fogging the eyepieces. Regards, Kris Global Paleo Services, LLC https://globalpaleoservices.com http://instagram.com/globalpaleoservices http://instagram.com/kris.howe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 I do most of my microscopic airscribing in my sandblasting box (with suction turned on, of course) with the microscope on top of it. No PPE needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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