3M Asbestos & Lead Dust Respirator - 3M 6000

This is our most popular respirator package! We have combined the 3M 6000 series halfmask respirator with a pair of 3M 2091 P100 filters to help protect against asbestos, lead and cadmium dusts, and fumes. Besides being a great Asbestos Respirator or Lead Respirator, it is also good for most types of welding. Use asbestos masks if you are working on older heating vents or ducts, "popcorn" ceilings, automotive brake linings or pipe insulation. For lead dusts and fumes, such as grinding off old paint, melting down lead to make shot or sinkers, or even burning off lead paint, this respirator should do the trick. In this last case, make very sure you have good ventilation because lead fumes are not the only hazard, and in fact outdoors is best as carbon monoxide and some solvent vapors may be generated.

We also sell a 3M Lead Dust Mask that is disposable.

If the ventilation is less than optimal, for instance using a heat gun to remove lead based paint indoors, we suggest moving to the 3M 60926 Multigas/P100 cartridge. This will add a charcoal layer to absorb any vapors that might be generated. That said, never forget that carbon monoxide is not removed by this or any other cartridge, and that it is potentially deadly. Good ventilation is your friend.

Even though it may be overkill, you may also use this 3M HEPA mask and filter combination for sanding fiberglass or working with fiber glass insulation.

On a related note, we have received a fair amount of interest for respirator protection for use at indoor shooting ranges. Depending on the ventilation, many shooters are reporting elevated levels of lead in their bloodstream. This is an obvious health hazard. As a Lead Dust Respirator, this mask provides HEPA level protection for your lungs. Also, lead clings to clothing. So if you have young children in the house, it is a good idea to wash your shooting clothing separately from the family laundry.

Assembly includes:
1 each 3M 6000 half mask respirator (choose size)
1 pair 3M 2091 P100 (HEPA) filter

Filter attaches directly to the mask with 1/4 turn bayonet style connector. The video shows how to assemble and wear the mask. When someone calls and asks for an asbestos dust mask, this is the item we recommend.

Mask Sizing
Respirator mask sizes are not quantified with measurements. The majority of our customers, 80% plus, use medium size. This has held true for many years and across all types of industries.

In general, people with noticeably small or large faces use those sizes. That is, a woman with a petite build and facial features would use small. Usually men with notably large faces, or prominent noses use the large. The rest of us use medium. Unfortunately, this is how it goes. Respirator Fit testing is the only sure way to tell.

Equivalent Part Numbers:
3M 6191 Small
3M 6291 Medium
3M 6391 Large

respirators lead fume
lead fume mask 3M asbestus mask