Particulate is not just dust
The term
particulate encompasses matter in the form of dust, mist, and fumes. Dust is created by breaking down solid material: cutting wood or sanding drywall, for instance. Mists are generated by spraying, mixing, or boiling liquids. Fumes are condensed vapor particles from solid materials that have been vaporized at high temperatures, like when metal is cut or welded.
Disposable respirators have limitations. Some processes and materials can generate particulate as well as uncondensed vapor and gas, two substances a disposable respirator won’t filter. Also, if particulate-concentration levels are too high, then a different type of respirator must be used. To determine an environment’s particulate-concentration level, extensive air-sampling must be done. However, checking with NIOSH (
www.cdc.gov/niosh), a respirator’s manufacturer, and a product’s material safety data sheet (MSDS) is the next best thing you can do to be sure you’re working within the limits of the respirator.
