Painter breathing masks

Painting is a dangerous activity for health, because of the inhalation of plaster dust during the preparation of supports and of the volatile pigments (VOC) contained in the paints: glycerophthalic, acrylics, alkyds, solvents. This is why all painters, amateurs or professionals, must wear a respiratory protection mask.

Standards for respirators for painters

For optimal protection, protective masks must comply with several standards:

EN 136 standard: it concerns the minimum requirements for full face masks. Based on laboratory experiments and practical performance tests, to see resistance to temperature, impact, flame, chemicals, heat radiation, stretching and cleaning products.

EN 140 standard: this leans towards the requirements of half and quarter masks. It has the same function as the previous one, but it is to be used with paint protection devices or breathing apparatus.

EN 414 standard: it has been developed for gas and combined filters, which are non-assisted devices. It ensures compliance with respect to resistance to shocks, humidity, corrosive environments, temperature, as well as respiratory and mechanical resistance.

EN 143 standard: it ensures resistance to particles, there is also the standard EN 149 for filtering half masks against particles, and the EN 405 standard for filtering half masks with valves.

Which painting mask to choose?

The choice of a mask depends on its use, there are models used for decoration, graffiti, etc., and others for more complex use.

For occasional use

Opt for a disposable model, it ensures a protection against dust and particles from aerosol varnishes. It is known for its lightness and ease of use. This type of mask has various characteristics such as its innovative molded shell which does not require the presence of a metal clip for the nose. It also has an incorporated valve, which gives it a fairly limited breathing resistance capacity.

For occasional use

It is light and flexible equipment, moreover it is reusable. It retains fine paint particles and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It goes well with the shape of the face, and can be used with glasses. It has a non-return valve, a fastening and anti-slip strip, which makes it practical and effective against paint dust.

For regular outdoor use

For this use, it is recommended to wear a full gas mask. This allows a blockage of harmful gases and solvents, and adapts to the needs of decorators, artists, graffiti artists, etc. There are high-performance models with odor protection and a very effective activated carbon filter.

What are the different types of paint masks?

There are two main categories of protective masks on the market:

Filter masks

These are devices equipped with filters, which make it possible to retain the dust or gases, while purifying the air breathed by the wearer of the mask. It is therefore necessary to check the functions and the condition of the filter at the time of purchase.

They exist in two forms including:

Masks without mechanical assistance: these are half masks (covering the nose and mouth) and full masks (protecting the entire face). They are equipped with a single filter, and are therefore to be used during occasional work of low intensity and of short duration.

Powered ventilation masks: they are equipped with motorized ventilation, and therefore amplify the flow of air breathed. They are comfortable to wear, and prevent the penetration of pollutants, thanks to an overpressure inside.

Isolating masks

This type of mask allows isolation of the polluted area by the toxic fumes of a paint. They are supplied with air and oxygen, and are recommended when dealing with an unfilterable contaminant. The choice of this type of mask depends on the nature of the painting work to be done and its duration.

There are two kinds, including:

Autonomous masks: they are equipped with a bottle of compressed air or oxygen, which is fed to the mask through a hose. They do not require a filter, and the painter can use it while moving over his work area, while continuing to paint until the bottle is finished.

Non-autonomous masks: without a cylinder of compressed air or oxygen, the painter benefits from clean air from the outside thanks to a hose attached to an air-supplied mask. compressed air.