What do we thinking about maintenance-free masks (they’re like the half-face respirators but have single-use filters) - seems like better than using N95s/having nothing but worse than having swappable filters?
(The cost of mask + swappable filters seems much higher than the maintenance-free mask, maybe 2x judging by the cost on Amazon UK)
One downside is that you may end up with a suboptimal filter. The one you linked, for instance, is P2 (~N95 in US) rather than P3 (~N100 or P100) -- so less protective against particulates. It does add some protection against organic vapors (“A1”) -- but I don’t think that would add anything in a pandemic scenario and likely reduces breathability. 3M does make some P3-rated models in that series, but I bet the cost is higher and breathability worse (because they also incorporate ratings against other gases and/or a higher rating against organic vapors).
This is probably a regional thing: I don’t see the 3M 4251 or other disposable respirators for sale in the US. My guess is the cost difference you’re seeing is due to comparing a US-market (6200) vs UK-market (4251) masks on UK Amazon?
Probably (even just Amazon price differences, I haven’t looked elsewhere). 6200 is £18, one set of filters £11. 4251 is £20. Maybe it’s a false economy, just thinking about cost savings if you wanted to buy a handful of masks for family.
What do we thinking about maintenance-free masks (they’re like the half-face respirators but have single-use filters) - seems like better than using N95s/having nothing but worse than having swappable filters?
(The cost of mask + swappable filters seems much higher than the maintenance-free mask, maybe 2x judging by the cost on Amazon UK)
One downside is that you may end up with a suboptimal filter. The one you linked, for instance, is P2 (~N95 in US) rather than P3 (~N100 or P100) -- so less protective against particulates. It does add some protection against organic vapors (“A1”) -- but I don’t think that would add anything in a pandemic scenario and likely reduces breathability. 3M does make some P3-rated models in that series, but I bet the cost is higher and breathability worse (because they also incorporate ratings against other gases and/or a higher rating against organic vapors).
Well spotted, thank you!
This is probably a regional thing: I don’t see the 3M 4251 or other disposable respirators for sale in the US. My guess is the cost difference you’re seeing is due to comparing a US-market (6200) vs UK-market (4251) masks on UK Amazon?
Probably (even just Amazon price differences, I haven’t looked elsewhere). 6200 is £18, one set of filters £11. 4251 is £20. Maybe it’s a false economy, just thinking about cost savings if you wanted to buy a handful of masks for family.