N95 is probably better than nothing, but for these purposes it’s probably far from good enough
Most pepper sprays and such are oil based, and n-rated respirators are not oil resistant. For that you really want an R-, or even better P-rated mask for oily mists.
Disposable masks suitable for that do exist, but more often you’re going to find reusable cartridge-based ones which will have some additional ratings that probably aren’t relevant to specifically pepper spray but could maybe be relevant for other
White labeled cartridges are suitable for acid cases like chlorine
Black labeled are suitable for organic vapors like from paint thinners and other solvents
Yellow are suitable for both
Green are rated for ammonia and methylamine
grue@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
I mean, sure, the cheap safety googles (like this) aren’t going to be perfect against a tear gas canister or something like that, but I assume they’d at least help some (buying you time to act before it starts seeping in), and be half-decent against directed sprays. I guess if you really wanted to wear swimming goggles under them you could, but it almost seems like overkill unless you plan to be right up on the front line, goading the ICE goons to mace you.
My first inclination would’ve been to just grab the PPE I already have for home DIY (spray painting and such), which are googles like above, paired with a reusable half-face respirator with P100 cartridges (a 3M 65021, I think). If cobbling together sports equipment really is better than that, I want to understand why and I’m not sure I do yet.
Also, even if we are talking about a full face respirator, where’d you come up with the $600 figure? What’s wrong with something like a 3M 6800 for $125?