MANY building or remodeling projects and household maintenance
chores release dust, harmful vapors and mists that can
contaminate the air. Breathing this air can introduce dangerous
substances into the lungs. Once there, they are carried to other
parts of the body through the bloodstream. The first line of
defense against airborne pollutants is a work space with good
ventilation; but even this is not enough. For complete
protection you should also wear a respirator. Respirators are
simply filtration devices that keep airborne pollutants from
entering your lungs as you breath. Full-service hardware stores
and home centers offer a variety of respirators (If you cannot
find a good respirator at these locations, go to a supplier that
specializes in safety equipment. Look in the Yellow Pages under
''Safety Equipment.''). Respirators are not all alike; they
differ in price and in the different levels of comfort and
protection they offer. You have to know what contaminants you
are trying to filter out before you can