James, I work in a studio/lab that adheres to the OSHA rules closely....to wear a respirator in this type of system means that you must undergo a physical and be fit-tested. Otherwise the employee (and employer) may face a fine...we don't use respirators in our lab, but instead have great ventilation designed for the processes and chemicals we use. The way it's been explained to me--I'm not an industrial hygenist though--by the OSHA reps is that a respirator is not a subsitute for ventilation...it is used in conjunction with good ventilation if it has to be used at all....that said, here's the OSHA page for respirators....you can probably find similar documents with whatever agency in your state handles Labor issues, workplace laws etc. They tend to call it Personal Protection, or Hazard Communication....I know you're doing this at home and all, but I'd be careful with the respirators.(posted 8150 days ago)http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratory_advisor/mainpage.html
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