The 2008 economic crash hit the construction industry hard. Investment dried up, building plans got cancelled and some projects even sat unfinished. But the industry is rebounding, and, with it, demand for construction equipment is on the rise. Whether the equipment’s end use is industrial, commercial or residential—all are recovering, albeit at different rates—construction equipment manufacturers are doing their best to meet their customers’ needs. Two new factors are driving much of this building boom. First, strong growth in overseas infrastructure building is showing no signs of slowing down. Latin America and East Asia, in particular, are pouring money into infrastructure projects. Second, public-private partnerships are encouraging investment. Given the assurance of public backing, private sector money is loosening up and flowing toward major residential, commercial and industrial projects. As construction equipment manufacturers transition into this new phase, they must keep in mind any changes in regulations for dust and weld fumes, as well as new information that might protect workers’ health.

Maintaining good air quality is more important than ever.Home and garden projects frequently involve exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins – such as paint fumes, solvents, dust, adhesives, pesticides, and caustic cleaning products – not to mention the annual assault from pollen and allergens. In addition to proper ventilation, a respirator or dust mask will go a long way in protecting your lungs and health. Respirators and dust masks aren’t all the same – there are different kinds to choose from, as well as a rating system for efficiency. At home and around the workshop, either a particulate filter (dust mask) or chemical cartridge respirator are likely to be all you’ll need. Particulate filters, including disposable dust masks, are the most common type of air-purifying device for home use. Particulate filters can be disposable or reusable with replaceable filters. They cover your nose and mouth and provide protection from airborne particles – including dust, mists, liquids, and some fumes – but not gases or vapors.

Particulate filters are rated by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) according to what, and how much, they filter out. The rating have both a letter and number: N: Not oil proof R: Oil resistant (up to 8 hours)air purifier in china P: Oil proof (beyond 8 hours)water air purifier canada Number: Particulate filters are rated 95, 97, or 100; air purifiers for whole housewhich corresponds to the percentage of one-micrometer particles removed during clinical trials. A 95 rating means that the filter removes 95% of particles from the air. Filters rated 100 are considered High-Efficiency (HE or HEPA) filters. What Type Particulate Filter Should I Buy? The most common rating for disposable dust masks is N95, which will filter 95% of airborne particles that are not oil-based.

N95 covers most woodshop dust, allergens, and airborne diseases. Filters for painting are often rated R95, or higher to handle oil-based particles. If you’re looking for the highest level of protection in the widest variety of situations, go for P100, which will filter out 100% of both oil-based and non-oil-based particles. When choosing a dust mask, consider: Masks with an adjustable nosepiece offer a tighter fit. Disposable masks with foam face seals will be more comfortable and a little more effective. Masks with an exhalation valve will make breathing easier. For highly toxic particles (such as asbestos), choose a non-disposable mask with sealing gaskets. Chemical Cartridge/Gas Mask Respirators Chemical cartridge respirators contain special carbon filtering material that absorbs gases and vapors from the air. The replaceable cartridges are inserted in a mask that seals tightly around the edges to block out unfiltered air. Cartridge respirators may be half-mask (covering only your nose and mouth) or full-face (for protection against chemicals that irritate the skin).

Chemical cartridge filters include: Chemical Cartridge: Block out vapors, but don’t have a separate prefilter to remove particles. Dual Cartridge: Include a replaceable pre-filter for particulates, giving you both types of protection. The particulate pre-filter will be rated just like any other particulate filter (see above). PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator): Have a battery-powered fan that blows air through the filter to make breathing easier. What Type Chemical Cartridge Respirator Should I Buy? To choose the right cartridge respirator, you need to know what toxins you’ll be facing. The cartridges are color-coded for specific purposes (such as organic vapors, ammonia, mercury, or acids). If you don’t know, or if your project it likely to contain small amounts of different substances, choose a dual-cartridge respirator with a multipurpose chemical cartridge and a P100-rated particulate filter. The following chart will help you decide what kind of respirator you need:

Notice Smells: Change the filter if you notice any changes in smells or taste; or if your throat, nose, or lungs become irritated. Breathe Easy: You should also change your respirator if it becomes clogged and hard to breathe through. Keep Dry: Many respirators, especially disposable ones, become ineffective if they get wet. Follow Instructions: Replace filters as instructed on the package. Don’t Reuse: Disposable respirators aren’t meant to be used more than once. Throw Away if Broken: Discard any respirator or filter canister that is dirty or damaged. Replace gas masks if rubber seals are damaged. Respiratory Protection (Virginia Workers’ Compensation Services) Respirator Specifics: Selection, Types and Use (Lab Safety Supply) How to Build Exterior Wood Steps New Trends for Kitchen Design and Materials Other Air Quality Page Links > Windblown & Construction Dust Information Outdoor dust occurs throughout Washington, but in dry areas like Eastern Washington, dust is a significant air

If you live in Eastern Washington, you have probably experienced dust storms. through fall, high winds in the Columbia Plateau region can combine with dry weather conditions to disturb farm fields and other areas with disturbed soils resulting in dust storms. These dust storms can lead to extremely high levels of particle air pollution. Final Exceptional Event Report Submitted Three unusual thunderstorms created strong winds and dust in Eastern Washington in 2013. agriculture erosion controls and caused air pollution from dust to exceed federal standards. Ecology’s report shows that the dust storms were “Exceptional Events” and is asking EPA to leave out the values from these events when determining compliance with air quality standards. Final Report: 2013 Exceptional Event Demonstration:  PM10 Exceedances due to High Winds at Kennewick, Publication 15-02-18 Final Report: Frequently Asked Questions Ecology submitted this demonstration in January 2016.

Ecology accepted comments from September 3 to October 5, 2015. There were two comments. Appendix J for Response to Comments. EPA will notify us of their decision. If they agree with us, these exceedances will be left out of compliance calculations. EPA will consider comments made on the demonstration when a regulatory decision is made based on the data being excluded. The decision is not final until that time. held August 13, 2015 Dust is made up of tiny particles (particulate matter.) The smallest particles, known as PM10 and PM2.5, are too small to be filtered out by your nose and your body's other natural defense systems. Dust with these fine particles is inhaled deep into your lungs where they cause increased problems with: Who should take special precautions? Breathing too much dust can potentially harm anyone. groups are at the highest risk: How to protect yourself and others Since small dust particles are the most harmful, the best precaution is simply

to avoid going outside when there is a lot of dust in the air. If you must go out: Dust Storm Warnings and Notices Sometimes it’s possible to know that a dust storm may occur. Most dust storms happen in the spring or fall, because of a combination of high winds, dry weather conditions, and uncovered fields. The National Weather Service announces high wind warnings, so your local news may be able to warn you in advance when conditions are ripe for a dust storm. You can sign up to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts about high wind warnings from the National Weather Service (visitThe best thing to do is always be prepared. How to Prepare for Dust Storms Windblown dust can’t be completely controlled or avoided, but there are some things you can do to protect yourself during a dust storm. Be ready to stay inside and close your windows, vents, and doors, and plugIf you have allergies or breathing problems, ask your health care provider or local health department

If they suggest wearing a mask during a dust storm, buy some and keep them on hand. If dust is a serious health problem for you, your health care provider may advise you to be ready to leave the area during a dust storm. Reduce Your Risk from Dust Storms There are some things we can do to prevent windblown dust; but even our best efforts can be overwhelmed by drought and high winds. Farmers prevent and reduce dust by using less intensive tilling methods and planting cover crops that hold the soil in place. Dust controls at construction sites include working in phases to minimize the amount of exposed land area, and using dust suppressants or gravel on bare ground. Contact your local clean air agency or city or county planning department if there is a dust problem in your area. Big dust storms can’t be prevented, but throughout Washington, Ecology and our partners monitor air quality to measure amounts of pollutionThis helps pinpoint areas with levels of pollution that could cause health problems so we can work

toward reducing and controlling pollution. Ecology monitors the air for dust in many areas of Washington. Monitors track air quality to find out if areas meet national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS.) When an exceptional event, like a thunderstorm, causes fine particle pollution to exceed the federal air pollution standards Ecology reports this to the Environmental Protection Agency. Others Who Help Manage Dust Local governments, the Environmental Protection Agency and others are also part of managing outdoor dust: Dust is categorized three ways: An exceptional event is an unusual or naturally-occurring event that can affect air quality, but cannot be reasonably controlled. Under air pollution laws, exceptional events are regulated differently than other sources of air pollution. For example, if a storm causes monitor readings to go over the federal limit and EPA agrees the reading was beyond our control, the high reading may be