[francisandbeans]

unless you wear a mask all the time, they are useless and filters are expensive...I wonder if dust masks can capture anthrax spores?

[TheOtherOne]

I wonder if dust masks can capture anthrax spores?

I have heard yes. My feeling was this, I saw the planes hit NY before DC. When the cropduster is over San Francisco, I put my mask on in LA. If they hit LA first, I am dead.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

...I wonder if dust masks can capture anthrax spores?

Not he usual sort of chief dust masks (they may catch a lot, but not all). Hepafilter N95 masks are probably sufficient- at least they are good for tuberculosis mycobacteria, which are roughly the same size. Also, the spores are probably NOT pure cultures- they are mixed with some carrier powder (Lactose? Cornstarch?)for disemination. The carrier powder is relatively easy to filter out.

BUT (and this is a BIG "but") unless you are wearing the mask at the time of exposure, and you carry out careful personal hygiene (especially handwashing!), there is really no point in bothering to buy any sort of mask.

[Fredgoblu]

I wonder if dust masks can capture anthrax spores

What? You mean the little dust masks they sell in the paint department at the hardware store to the hypochondriacs who think that these things keep out solvent vapor? I don't think so...that little nose pinch thingie is worthless

I wouldn't want anything less than a form fitted mask with HEPA cartridges.