If I wear a half mask, it is the Elipse P100 from GVS. They sell versions for both particulate protection and organic vapor protection, and each version has replaceable filters. They are very comfortable and convenient for that type of mask.
However, I recently bought some used 3M Versaflo PAPR gear, and it is the Mack daddy. Full face protection, so no safety glasses are needed. You can wear your prescription glasses. It is positive air flow, so you can have facial hair and you are still well protected (try that with a half mask). They sell add-on ear muffs, so you can have all of the important PPE (vision, respiratory, hearing) as part of the same helmet. 3M sells various filters, so you can switch between particulate and organic vapor filters in a moment. This stuff is expensive as heck, but boy, it is comfy and highly protective.
The thing that drove me over the edge and made me OK with the cost was pondering the difference between risk and cumulative harm. When I use a saw, I risk losing a finger, but as long as I am careful and follow proper safety measures, that risk is driven to a very low level, and the strong odds are that I will keep all my fingers. Zero harm. But exposing my body to chemicals and dust is not simply a risk; every time I do it, I am accumulating incremental harm to my body. If I do it once, I will likely be fine in the long run. But if I expose my body again, and again, and again, at some point my body will hit the point where I experience real harm. Some folks have higher tolerances than others to these sorts of harm, but we all have a point at which the accumulation of dust (or a particular chemical, or whatever) will make our bodies not work well. I’m willing to pay good money to protect myself against that accumulated harm. Just a cheery thought to start your Thursday!
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