GVS P3 Respirator filter replacement and respirator desinfection

[Ber Gueda]

I am using a GVS P3 respirator (I don't know if it's the better choice) and I have two questions related to it. Maybe some of you using this respirator (or similar) can give me a hint:

- GVS recommends changing the filter every 30 days for a kind of intensive use. It's not my case. How do you know when you need to change the filters? Can you gently vaccum them to clean them a little bit?

- Do you desinfect in some way the respirator after every use? I clean it with water from time to time, but I am afraid of mold or invisible bacteria forming because of humidity when breathing through the respirator. If so, what do you use for desinfection?

Thanks for your answers.

[barb.j.enders]

I have the Elipse brand respirator.  I have vacuumed out the filters. Changed them maybe every 9 months.   I saw a recent video where the wearer cleaned it with an alcohol  wipe.  Makes sense to clean regularly.

[kmmcrafts]

As you say... the dust might be the least of your worries with using these due to mold and bacteria. I got pretty sick once with something respiratory.. doctors had no clue but put me on antibiotics and cleared it up.. next week working in the shop I got it again.. I think there was something in my filters of my dust mask.. Ever since then I started changing my filters more often than not.. they're cheaper than a doctors visit and not being sick is always a big plus... I'm not sure I'd even bother trying to "clean" to prolong the life of something like this.. as I said.. filters are cheaper than the office visit so I would just change the filters or replace the mask.. your health is worth it.. Probably safer to not even wear a mask if you're not going to change out the filters and breath clean air what's the point.  

[Wichman]

I use the Gerson ( Harbor freight ) mask. I bought the "disposable" mask ( the filter are fixed on the mask, but the tabs can be broken and replaceable filters can then be attached, all the proper lugs are there, so it's not just a jury-rigged thing ). I use VOC filters with a P95 prefilter, I change the prefilter when I can see a color change or if I can see dust on the shroud that keeps the prefilter in place; I change the VOC filter if it becomes difficult to pull air through or if I can feel a change in the filter ( sinus or allergic reaction ). If you want to disinfect the inside of the mask, use either an alcohol wipe or a dust free cloth with alcohol on it ( my local Family Dollar store has 91% alcohol ); that what we used on our gas masks in the military.

[Ber Gueda]

2 hours ago, Wichman said:

I use the Gerson ( Harbor freight ) mask. I bought the "disposable" mask ( the filter are fixed on the mask, but the tabs can be broken and replaceable filters can then be attached, all the proper lugs are there, so it's not just a jury-rigged thing ). I use VOC filters with a P95 prefilter, I change the prefilter when I can see a color change or if I can see dust on the shroud that keeps the prefilter in place; I change the VOC filter if it becomes difficult to pull air through or if I can feel a change in the filter ( sinus or allergic reaction ). If you want to disinfect the inside of the mask, use either an alcohol wipe or a dust free cloth with alcohol on it ( my local Family Dollar store has 91% alcohol ); that what we used on our gas masks in the military.

I was not sure if alcohol could damage the rubber, but it worths a try. The worst thing it can happen is that I should by a new mask.