3M Particulate Disposable Respirator 8233, NIOSH APPROVED, N100, 1 Piece

I have a home-brew plasma cutting machine that generates smoke when it runs, something that I really don't want to inhale. The first few times I used the machine I got this terrible metallic smell and taste stuck in my head, took over a week to clear. Now when I cut I wear this 3M mask and no more problems. I know it's working -- when I take the mask off briefly the smell of burning metal is very strong, mask-on: no smell at all. I also see there's a brown coating on the OUTSIDE of the mask (it was white when new), telling me that it's really working. It's the first such mask that I find comfortable, and it's easy to adjust the nose bridge (with a bendable metal insert) to fit my slightly oversized schnozz. In case you didn't notice from the description, there's also a built-in vinyl (I think) membrane that conforms very nicely to my face. No gaps, no leaks, real protection. I'll be buying more when this one turns a dark brown.

These masks saved my life in China. I have serious asthma. The air in China is worse than you could possibly imagine - you think it will be like LA - bad sometimes in some cities. What you find is it's the whole country, and the clear days are the tiny exception. I took along several masks, and these were the ones that got me through. This is the first time I really could tell the difference, instantly - you put the mask on, and the air magically felt clear and clean. Whereas before - hoo boy. The key difference is that the others I took along either 1) lacked an exhaust valve (essential); 2) fell apart much faster; or 3) were too cumbersome to wear. You should know that they don't last that long. I used mine for 2-3 days at a time, but after a while I got concerned that in humid conditions, even that was courting mold problems (they get very moist in use of course). Also they get dirty and the metal piece at the now starts to separate.) So the take-away from that is, take enough along. BTW the US Gov't publishes very helpful information about masks and mask ratings; just Google "N-100 respirators".

I used these on my 2 week trip to China where the air has been at red-alert status for a while now. I felt so much better using these masks. In certain areas, like in Beijing, you could smell the pollution in the air. These masks cut the smell out and helped me to breathe easy (literally, and in that I felt better about being there with these masks on). Other people I was traveling with were not wearing these or were trying to get away with lighter medical masks and you could tell the difference. I'm so happy that I had these throughout my trip. If you are going to China or someplace like it, plan to use one mask each day or at most one mask for two days. By the end of the day, the masks get pretty grimy and smell of the pollutants (on the outside). You'll observe that it's noticeably more difficult to breathe as the mask becomes clogged.

I have not tried the Honeywell Saf-T-Fit Plus P100 Disposable Respirator, which comes in 3 different sizes instead of 1. Search "B0067NLRL0" on Amazon. I recommend the 3M Particulate Respirator 8233, N100(1 for $9.77) over the SAS Safety 8641 P100 Particulate Respirator (2 for $13.18), both sold by Amazon because : (1)My experience shows that the filtering media outlast the 2 elastic straps, which wore out and no longer stretch to seal the mask to the face. (2)3M's 2 spandex-like straps stretch better and last longer than those for "SAS". You put on the "SAS" mask on the face and then pull the 2 straps through the holes to tighten the seal each time. You do not have to pull the straps through the holes on 3M mask each time unless your face is sweaty (slippery). The 3M straps are much more elastic and stretchable. (3)The straps on "SAS" mask wore out quickly and stopped stretching. 1mm long pieces of white rubber(?) fall off the SAS straps. The straps on 3M last longer and stretch better. (4)You get more uses out of the 3M mask because the straps last longer than those of SAS mask. (5)3M's black smooth soft silicone-like waterproof gasket provides a better seal, but it CRACKS and SPLITS easily into 4 to 9 pieces after about 10 uses. It slips easily on a oily sweaty face, in warm to hot weather, requiring pulling the 2 straps tight to keep it from slipping downwards to the mouth and pinching the nose. SAS's grey cloth-like gasket absorbs sweat, does not slip as bad as 3M. (6)N100 masks filter at least 99.97% of non-oil airborne particles. Not for use against oil particles. P100 masks filter at least 99.97% of oil and non-oil airborne particles. I recommend the P100 over the N100 masks because they can be used against both oil and non-oil particles. It is much cheaper to replace the masks or respirators than your lungs. Many people die while waiting for lung transplant which cost $400000 or more for one lung. Plus you have to take immunosuppressive drugs regularly to prevent rejection of the transplanted lung. It takes time to research these information. Please click "Yes" below this line if this review is helpful to you.

I have a small woodworking shop in my basement: table saw, planer, jointer, router tables, etc. I try to keep wood dust under control with dust collection system at each machine, but still a considerable amount of dust escapes into the air. These respirators help a great deal. I suffer from mild to gross allergies and when using these respirators my allergy problems are normal, but without the respirator I really suffer later in the day. I wear glasses and these respirators fit fine. Nice tight fit around face. Only problem, you can't drink coffee with the respirator on. This 3M Particulate Respirator is comfortable enough I forgot I had it on once and tried. Luckily, the coffee wasn't too hot and I always keep an extra, dry respirator in the shop.

It is absolutely true that respirators ONLY protect the wearer. They are ideal protection for medical staff working in non-sterile environments such as emergency rooms and EMT calls. This is true of ANY RESPIRATOR and hospitals and EMTs have been asking for respirator donations since the beginning of this pandemic. The fact that this particular respirator was not certified for medical use at the time it was sold does NOT mean it is of no value in such applications now and to suggest such, however well meaning, is to needlessly devalue a resource that is in terribly short supply. I suggest a few minutes research on evolving standards and recent findings in this area. Ongoing testing is being done to determine the efficacy of various respirators and masks not initially medically certified for exactly this reason. If you have some of these respirators still in unopened bags PLEASE DONATE THEM to ER staff or EMTs. I assure you they will be thrilled to receive your N100 respirators even though they are not, technically, certified for medical use. It’s very likely that at the moment many of them are having to work with makeshift masks, disposable masks that have been in use for weeks, or masks that offer the wearer far less protection than one of these would.

Large fit, flexible works well. It's much better than wearing those covid masks. The straps are solid with great locking in place grip. Will purchase again.

Excellent 99.97% protection for you on inhalation, but 0% protection for anyone else (if you are sick) on exhalation. For this reason, Honolulu hospitals and city buses do not allow this mask unless you have a 2nd mask covering the valve. The valve allows the mask to remain cooler and less humid; this makes it more comfortable than non-valved masks initially so it almost got 4 stars (which leave room for improvement by mask designers). It also didn't get to 4 stars because it gets uncomfortable after 2 months (see below). Additionally, to be effective, the fit is snug which is comparable to other masks; thus, overall it can only earn 3 stars for comfort. While cooking in my car's trunk on weekdays between weekend use, this mask lasted 2 months hence the 3 stars for durability. The foam interface with the skin breaks down and cuts into the skin, but the discomfort is still tolerable after 2 months. In 2 months, the elastic bands lose their elasticity so it has to be tightened every week. The great protection is offset by the inability to use in certain places because of the valve, by higher costs, and by lower durability hence the 3 stars for value. This was my replacement order so I did order again.

EL PAQUETE DE 80 PACK, NO ES DE 80 ES DE 1 MASCARILLA UNICAMENTE.. ESTA ENGAÑOSO LA PUBLICIDAD Y EL PRECIO

Lo pedi varias veces y todas las veces me lo enviaron mal, no lo compren, este producto no es de 80 en donde dice 80 pack, me argumentaron que Es un error de almacén y aunque compre el correcto de 80 pack, me enviaron 1 pieza todas las veces que lo compre, así que aguas con su compra