Wood dust: why hardwood is special
Wood dust consists of solid particles without gases and can irritate airways and trigger allergies. Dust from hardwood such as oak and beech is considered carcinogenic. TRGS 553 regulates the handling of wood dust: it contains sections on the substitution check, technical and organisational protective measures, checking the effectiveness of extraction, the operating instruction and occupational health care.
Extraction at the machine comes first. Respiratory protection adds to the technical and organisational measures, it does not replace them.
FFP disposable mask or half mask with P3?
A particle filter is enough against dust. Under DGUV Rule 112-190 FFP2 is permitted up to 10 times and FFP3 up to 30 times the workplace exposure limit, a half mask with P3 filter also up to 30 times, the full-face mask up to 400 times.
| Device | Up to | In the AirGuard Pro range |
|---|---|---|
| Filtering half mask FFP1Disposable respirator 6100 | 4 × limit value | Disposable respirator 6100 |
| Filtering half mask FFP2Disposable respirators 6201, 6203 | 10 × limit value | Disposable respirators 6201, 6203 |
| Filtering half mask FFP3Disposable respirators 6311, 6311C, 6312 | 30 × limit value | Disposable respirators 6311, 6311C, 6312 |
| Half mask with particle filter P1Alternative: AG360 with AGP3R1 or AGP3R2 (P3, up to 30 × limit value) | 4 × limit value | Alternative: AG360 with AGP3R1 or AGP3R2 (P3, up to 30 × limit value) |
| Half mask with particle filter P2Alternative: AG360 with AGP3R1 or AGP3R2 (P3, up to 30 × limit value) | 10 × limit value | Alternative: AG360 with AGP3R1 or AGP3R2 (P3, up to 30 × limit value) |
| Half mask with particle filter P3AG360 with AGP3R1 or AGP3R2 | 30 × limit value | AG360 with AGP3R1 or AGP3R2 |
| Full-face mask with particle filter P1Alternative: AG700 with AGP3R1, AGP3R2 or AGP3R (P3, up to 400 × limit value) | 4 × limit value | Alternative: AG700 with AGP3R1, AGP3R2 or AGP3R (P3, up to 400 × limit value) |
| Full-face mask with particle filter P2Alternative: AG700 with AGP3R1, AGP3R2 or AGP3R (P3, up to 400 × limit value) | 15 × limit value | Alternative: AG700 with AGP3R1, AGP3R2 or AGP3R (P3, up to 400 × limit value) |
| Full-face mask with particle filter P3AG700 with AGP3R1, AGP3R2 or AGP3R | 400 × limit value | AG700 with AGP3R1, AGP3R2 or AGP3R |
| Half mask with gas filterAG360 with gas or combination filter (bayonet) | 30 × limit value | AG360 with gas or combination filter (bayonet) |
| Full-face mask with gas filterAG700 with gas or combination filter | 400 × limit value | AG700 with gas or combination filter |
| Situation | Suitable | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional, short jobs | FFP2 or FFP3, for example 6201, 6311 | A disposable mask is ready for use at once and needs no care. |
| Daily, long jobs | Half mask AG360 with P3 | Only the filter is replaced, the mask lasts longer. |
| High dust concentration, eye protection needed | Full-face mask AG700 with P3 | Permitted up to 400 times the limit value. |
The comparison of the two designs is in Disposable respirator or half mask, the levels in FFP1, FFP2, FFP3.
Limits
- Dust and vapours together: Anyone painting or working with adhesives additionally needs a gas filter. For that there is the combination filter with type A and P3, see Respiratory protection for painting.
- Concentration above the protection level: above 30 times (half mask, FFP3) or 400 times (full-face mask) the limit value.
- Face seal: a beard or sideburns in the sealing area prevent protection. See Face seal and beards.
- Occupational health care: rules on health care apply to wearing respiratory protection. More under Respiratory protection duties.
If you know which multiple of the limit value applies, the respirator finder leads to the matching combination.
Frequently asked questions
Is FFP2 enough for wood dust?
Up to 10 times the workplace exposure limit FFP2 is permitted under DGUV Rule 112-190. With hardwood dust and higher concentrations FFP3 or a half mask with P3 come into question. The risk assessment decides.
Is wood dust carcinogenic?
Dust from hardwood such as oak and beech is considered carcinogenic. TRGS 553 regulates the handling of wood dust.
When does a half mask pay off instead of FFP?
With daily, long work with dust. The half mask with P3 reaches the same protection level as FFP3 (30 times), only the filter is replaced.
Does an FFP mask protect against solvents in wood coatings?
No. FFP masks hold back only particles. Against vapours you need a gas or combination filter.
