Asbestos is nasty, DO use a suitable particle mask, preferably a gas mask with additional particulate filters like an ABEK-1 cartridge with added particle filter (these look like round disk shaped pads and go over the top of the filter canisters and under the screw on part that holds the canisters in) If you need I could, for just the price of the mask and filters plus shipping send you a suitable one. I need to go to my place for masks, gas tanks and the like anyway to get a new mask that fits better than the two I have now.
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What sort of particle mask was it raxy? I can easily dig up the specs I should think and see how it should fare against asbestos. Even if not specifically rated for something, many masks can deal with many things not specifically listed.
I'll get the specs on it next time I'm out at the house.
I don't plan to actually remove the asbestos tiles. The guy from the testing company who confirmed the asbestos content said it would be expensive and unnecessary, since they're in good shape. They aren't cracked or water damaged (though there is an area of the basement that clearly had water damage in the past, but the tiles are already removed from that room) and there's no buckling of the surface. They are going to be covered up with carpet in most rooms and plywood and then linoleum in one of the rooms.
So I hope I won't need to get one of the heavy duty respirators. It's good of you to offer, but it also probably doesn't make financial sense to ship one overseas. Maybe better to recommend specs and see if I can find something here. I found
this which is very cheap compared to $100+ for other models, and available in Canada, not sure if I could get it in local hardware stores but if not, maybe order it.
I don't know if I would need a better asbestos mask just to paint the room, if I wasn't doing anything to the tiles.
