Full face mask for ammonia and dust in livestock housing
In poultry, pig and cattle housing the air carries ammonia from manure and organic dust from litter, feed and animals. The heaviest jobs are cleaning out the sheds and moving litter.
Ammonia
Ammonia irritates the eyes and airways; a full face mask protects the eyes too. Ammonia filters carry the green band, letter K.
Dust
Livestock dust contains organic particles, endotoxins and micro-organisms: the P3 disc stops it.
Slurry pits: a filter is not enough
Hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and methane build up in slurry pits and tanks, and oxygen can be missing. At high concentrations hydrogen sulphide knocks you out in a few breaths. Never enter these confined spaces with a filter: you need self-contained breathing apparatus, gas monitoring, a person outside and confined-space procedures.
The filter to start from
K2 P3Spasciani 202 K2P3
K is the letter for ammonia, P3 stops dust and bioaerosols: K2P3 is the targeted filter for livestock. If you also use chlorine or solvent disinfectants, ABEK2 P3 covers them together.
The filter shown is a starting point: the substance's safety data sheet, and at work the risk assessment, have the final word.
Other jobs
Limits and warnings
- A K filter runs out: change it as soon as you smell ammonia inside the mask.
- Shed ventilation comes before the mask.
- Never use a filter to go down into a pit, a tank or a silo.