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CN, I think what you may have seen for the $500 is a "PAPR" kit. That stands for "powered air purifying respirator". As I understand it, that is a packaged, battery powered blower that is typically carried on one's belt. This would provide a positive pressure to the mask, presumably resolving minor face seal issues. But it would still require the appropriate chemical cartridges and prefilters since it takes air from the immediate vicinity. I do not see any advantage to such a system over direct supplied fresh air unless the work process does not permit being tethered to an airline. In fact I think it is inferior, since you have to deal with the damned cartridge and filter issues. As far as I know there is no "agency approved" chemical cartridge for isos. I am aware of a lab test that indicates some organic vapor cartridges can be effective in removing most isos if supplemented with the appropriate prefilter. Of course the problem (at least for the casual painter) is not knowing when to replace them...or exactly what ppm concentration they would be subjected to in the first place. As you note, I suppose you could use new cartridges and filters for each use, assuming you have an essentially perfect face seal if a neg press mask or if you are using that "PAPR" system. Neither would be practical for the way I do things. I think a mask supplied directly with known fresh air via an airline (or hose) is the only way to fly when using iso-containing materials. I have been doing it that way successfully for a long time. I agree, the matter is too important to half-bake it. Been there, done that, know better.  Rod
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