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[Mugen_1]

So a local newspaper published a story about a long-abandoned water treatment plant, and I pulled it up in about five minutes on Google Earth and the building is insanely easy to get into. The article went to some length to describe the asbestos hazard the building possessed. This got me on the quest to find a respirator, as I'd been considering buying one anyway, and a venture to this place seems like the perfect reason to finally splurge.

I've been eying 3M's 7500 series half-faced mask with 2097 P100 organic vapor filters, since all can be had for less than $35.

So what do those of you who use them recommend?

[arntzville]

P100 filters are what you want, and the 3Ms are good masks. Organic vapor combo is a good bonus I guess. I have a 3M half face mask with P100 filters that I use very infrequently, only if I know I'm gonna be crawling through some dry basement that's loaded with asbestos. There's also a power plant loaded with it that I plan on bringing my respirator to when I eventually get around to exploring it.

A respirator is useless if it doesn't fit you right, so you should learn how to check that. If you have a beard, it's impossible to get a good seal to keep the fibers out.

[evilavatar]

For me the biggest issue here is getting the replacement filter cartridges.  I've actually been looking at surplus gas masks on the internet instead simply because you can get the army surplus cartridges for about a 1/3 of the price.  I think the same 3M model is about 46 at the menards near me, but it's 17 or 18 dollars for the replacement filters whereas I can get a gas mask and replacement cartridges for about 30 dollars for the mask and 8-10 for the filters.  Most of the gas masks have basically an equivalent p100 rating but they are full face masks.  The closest thing in a full face p100 is closer to $100+.  Obviously it's going to be bulkier and less easy to hide so stealth is going to take a little more work.  Just some thing to toss out their for consideration. 

[arntzville]

Full face is overkill for exploring, and I would argue it makes you less safe, because it decreases your peripheral vision. Replacing cartridges shouldn't be an issue, either. Assuming you're not traversing dense clouds of asbestos and you store your respirator in a clean, dry location and use it sparingly, the cartridges will last for many years before needing replacement. I just replaced mine after almost ten years, and it was more out of an abundance of caution than anything else.

[evilavatar]

Maybe I'm over cautious as well, but I will swap the cartridges if I am in a place that is thoroughly saturated or nasty so I;m not tracking stuff home to my kids.  I know the charcoal should probably hold any particulates, but I'd rather not risk it around the kids.

[flushed]

I can tell you that you need a HEPA filter. It will tell you on the filter what it protects you from and will list Asbestos if it is designed for it. If it gets wet even with sweat replace it as that causes the filter to fail. They have alimited life after being put into use so even if you only use it a bit its good to replace them based on how long it is since you broke the seal rather than how many times you use them. It doesn't matter what kind of mask as long as it fits the filters and you can get a seal between the mask and your face. You test this after you have it one by plugging the intake and taking a breath, the mask should collapse on your face with no air coming in.
I also recommend you cover your hair with a welding cap or something like it in places where the dust may be dangerous as it makes no sense to wear a mask then expose yourself when you take it off with the dust in your hair.

Be safe

[flushed]

I need to make certain you all understand there is no protection from Asbestos without a proper HEPA filter.
The thing that makes the fibers so dangerous is how very small they are. The will get through anything that is not specifically designed to catch them.
I am trained to work with Asbestos.