: I had a fit test once with a North #7700 half mask. This unit comes in 3
: different sizes, and the test involves putting on the mask with Organic
: Vapor cartridges (the black ones, filled with charcoal), and the tester
: waving a vial of pepper gas around the intakes while breathing deeply. If
: you can smell anything at all, you flunk, and try a different size. The
: gas is virulent enough to cause severe discomfort and tearing, and I could
: not detect any trace of the gas at all through the mask. The human nose
: can smell a few parts per million of things like ammonia, sulfur dioxide,
: skunk, horseradish, etc., so in order to pass this test the mask would
: have to filter out 99.999999% or so of the test gas.

Hi Pete: I certainly agree with your overall comments, and am glad you've found a unit which performs so well. I would still confirm with your supplier that the cartridges are specifically designed for use in an epoxy environment.

As for a full face gas mask, because of the design application, they would be superior to a half mask. There of course would be added discomfort, and somewhat interfere with visibility to the work. And again, because there are so many organic compounds, I would want to verify that the cartridges would be suitable for epoxy fumes. If they are, then you have found at least two suitable alternatives. That's great, and good news for the others here who are searching for good units.

I may appear overly cautious, and maybe I am, but both my wife and I have encountered situations where we have not been given the full, accurate story by the sources, and as a result have had to verify for ourselves that crucial information volunteered is indeed accurate. Thus my suggestion to others that they make reasonably sure that the suppliers (manufacturers) are giving the straight goods.

Jim L.

: Furthermore, chemical warfare agents are designed to be both virulent and
: persistent, while epoxy is not. Using a well-fitting military full-face
: gas mask with freshly unwrapped cartridges would fall well within my
: acceptable level of risk.