Strong Justice For Serious Disease

Do masks help with asbestos?

On Behalf of | Jun 28, 2022 | Asbestos

You know that asbestos is dangerous when it is inhaled. It’s made up of very tiny particles that can get stuck in your lungs or other tissues. These are what lead to mesothelioma, a dangerous type of cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.

As a result, you may think that the best way to stay safe is simply to wear a mask when you’re on the job. But is that mask actually going to protect you from these particles?

What is the rating of the mask?

The biggest question to ask here is just what rating the mask is. It should be an N-100 mask that has been specifically designed to filter out asbestos particles. If this is the type of mask that you’re given by your employer, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll never have any problems, but it is at least the right type of personal protection equipment.

However, not all employers understand what type of equipment is necessary. Maybe your boss gave you a typical paper dust mask, the type that you’d use if you were around wood dust in a shop. 

You may feel like this helps because your mouth and nose are covered while you’re working, but the problem is that the mask simply isn’t going to stop those asbestos particles. They’re too small, so they can work their way around or even through the mask.

Being given the wrong personal protection equipment can cause serious issues later in life. If you’ve developed mesothelioma, or if a loved one has, then you need to know about all of your legal options

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