--- title: Respiratory protection in work in waste disposal and cleaning url: "https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/respiratory-protection-applications/waste-disposal-and-cleaning/" description: Choose the right breathing protection for work in waste disposal date: 2024-05-21 modified: 2025-06-30 locale: en_GB --- # Respiratory protection in work in waste disposal and cleaning ![Suitable respirator mask for waste disposal](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/H_R2nyAyPD4Z9KWpbhYB4jwbjesVdRzWrGnKHSo4Fjs/w:375/h:107/fn:Y3NtX0F0ZW1zY2h1dHpfRW50c29yZ3VuZ185ZDQxNThkNjI4:t/cb:fdfcd82e43e54c4bb32b6a7256bd63aaad4109d2/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9BdGVtc2NodXR6X0VudHNvcmd1bmcuanBnPzE3MjI0MjYwNjM) Respiratory protection in work in waste disposal and cleaning =============================================================== The following includes further information for choosing the right breathing protection for work in waste disposal. The suggestion made here is only a general recommendation. For a detailed analysis and selection of the correct mask, please refer to our selection guide: [Correct selection](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/choice-of-respirator/) Please do not hesitate to contact your relevant professional association should you have any queries or questions. Refuse separation and disposal -------------------------------- Dust is often created when separating waste, recycling or undertaking any other activity involving waste or refuse. If you are unsure what may be contained in the waste, wear a respirator in protection class [FFP3](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp3-masks/) to protect against hazardous particles. A **[protection class FFP2](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp2-masks/)** respirator will suffice for regular domestic waste and harmless substances. A respirator with **carbon** can be used to counteract any unpleasant odours (protection against gases and vapours under occupational exposure limits \[OEL\]). You can find product suggestions for this purpose below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ### FFP2 respirator masks ### FFP3 respirator masks ![Suitable respirator mask for waste disposal](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/oq8HinPYQ5C6A1eLNaYE3ZT2woeKXDATYgcwJQvGCEA/w:345/h:98/fn:Y3NtX0VudHNvcmd1bmdfTXVlbGxfNTkxMGIyOTE3Yg:t/cb:944431638aa737c6aec98ac5cc579bb14e7ccc9e/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9FbnRzb3JndW5nX011ZWxsLmpwZz8xNzE2Mjk5Njkx) Medical waste disposal ------------------------ The disposal of medical waste often involves unspecified substances and potentially contaminated syringes or other waste. Bacteria, spores and viruses may be contained in the waste, meaning that it is essential to wear a **[protection class FFP3](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp3-masks/)** respirator. A respirator with **carbon** can be used to counteract any unpleasant odours (protection against gases and vapours under occupational exposure limits \[OEL\]). You can find product suggestions for this purpose below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ![Suitable respirator mask for the disposal of medical waste](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/4KLFn_DiH1bzzfzyk827gXWN2KzeYGoqsYPv5j7Mybg/w:345/h:99/fn:Y3NtX0VudHNvcmd1bmdfbWVkaXppbmlzY2hlX0FiZmFlbGxlXzcyN2YwNTg5OGI:t/cb:0aeaae0081018daff95fa619f3a24c3d98c5b3c2/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9FbnRzb3JndW5nX21lZGl6aW5pc2NoZV9BYmZhZWxsZS5qcGc_MTcxNjI5OTY5MQ) Sweeping floors ----------------- Various dusts and particles can be stirred up when sweeping floors. An **FFP3 respirator** should always be worn if any toxic dusts are present. In general, a respirator in **protection class FFP2** will suffice for regular floor sweeping where harmless particles such as cement, flour dust, sand or metal shavings are involved. You can find product suggestions for this purpose below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ### FFP2 respirator masks ### FFP3 respirator masks ![Suitable breathing mask when sweeping the floor](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/0OaNfqv-ohjhWrAOtZVKDoP10O4oHQHZ5MKbdHeGNMs/w:345/h:98/fn:Y3NtX0VudHNvcmd1bmdfQm9kZW5rZWhyZW5fYjI2YjRlYmYyOA:t/cb:cc76f79e5de72dd37e7c1e37dab88a869472f33c/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9FbnRzb3JndW5nX0JvZGVua2VocmVuLmpwZz8xNzE2Mjk5Njkx) Radioactively contaminated particles -------------------------------------- Wearing a **[protection class FFP3](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp3-masks/)** respirator is a minimum requirement when dealing with radioactive substances or disposing of radioactively contaminated dusts. A full mask respirator is recommended. The respirator is therefore only intended for single use and must be correctly disposed of immediately after being removed. You can find product suggestions for FFP3 respirators below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ![Suitable respirator mask for disposal and radioactivity ](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/ClTDJsiYY7lBuEv3YF03gf-bt2EUlFLNer-hF2aXGGU/w:345/h:98/fn:Y3NtX0VudHNvcmd1bmdfUmFkaW9ha3Rpdml0YWV0XzFmYjkxYTIwMDE:t/cb:047907c593ee3e71120da7e83c25973854ea2314/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9FbnRzb3JndW5nX1JhZGlvYWt0aXZpdGFldC5qcGc_MTcxNjI5OTY5MQ) Still haven't found the right one for you? -------------------------------------------- Find out more about uvex respiratory protection. ### Buy uvex respiratory protection [ ![uvex respiratory protection](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/zkVWMSxCcl7CsZGP77kGgMWmV9d-5pZ0jJie0JKTL9M/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX3V2ZXgtYXRlbXNjaHV0em1hc2tlbi1zb3J0aW1lbnRfNGQ2ZDk2ZjFhMA:t/cb:f33467aeae540ae90aeeb3d302121feed87404d5/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vQXRlbXNjaHV0ei91dmV4LWF0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZW4tc29ydGltZW50LmpwZz8xNzcxMjQwNTU4) ](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/products/respiratory-protection/) [To our products](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/products/respiratory-protection/) ### Respiratory protection guide [ ![Download uvex respiratory protection guide](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/-RN886LeSQFojDmrXOsqNisEqVLJAk1Cs9aLBv8YgpQ/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX3V2ZXgtYXRlbXNjaHV0ei1ndWlkZS1oZXJ1bnRlcmxhZGVuXzUzZDcxZmM0Mjc:t/cb:948e1dfcd16f9a173b1bb57489791ef238463c37/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vQXRlbXNjaHV0ei91dmV4LWF0ZW1zY2h1dHotZ3VpZGUtaGVydW50ZXJsYWRlbi5qcGc_MTc3MTI0MTYyMA) ](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/fileadmin/www.uvex-safety.com/Media/catalogues_and_brochures/en/uvex_respiratory_protection_guide_PPE_EN.pdf) [Download (PDF)](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/fileadmin/www.uvex-safety.com/Media/catalogues_and_brochures/en/uvex_respiratory_protection_guide_PPE_EN.pdf?1639493851) ### Respiratory protection: Questions and answers [ ![frequently asked questions about respiratory masks](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/KJP5iacTiwC2LTJXse7fQvqwkM2CzcaTltJaMVjo64U/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX2F0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZW4tZnJhZ2VuLWFudHdvcnRlbi1ibG9nXzczYTczNGUwYjk:t/cb:3fe6ccc4391f93aa009c8649dd85b803f07c4456/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vQXRlbXNjaHV0ei9hdGVtc2NodXR6bWFza2VuLWZyYWdlbi1hbnR3b3J0ZW4tYmxvZy5qcGc_MTc3MTgzODQzNA) ](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/questions-and-answers-of-respiratory-protection/) [To our x-pertblog](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/questions-and-answers-of-respiratory-protection/) ### How do repirators actually work? [ ![uvex safety how do respirators work](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/DV2VTUtVa1zXxQ4Pp_hW4qEjzflJwBYRoK1wHkARnWw/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX25hY2hoYWx0aWdlX0F0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZV9zaWx2LUFpcl9wbGFuZXRfR3JhZmZpdGlfZDE4NzAzNjY5OA:t/cb:3e271daeadb7fd3a5d6efc84563db1ed70f0ed28/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/c:504:504:fp:0.6275:0.43373493975904/rt:force/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9BY3Rpb25iaWxkZXIvbmFjaGhhbHRpZ2VfQXRlbXNjaHV0em1hc2tlX3NpbHYtQWlyX3BsYW5ldF9HcmFmZml0aS5qcGc_MTcyMTA0NzgyMA) ](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/how-do-respirators-actually-work/) [To our x-pertblog](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/how-do-respirators-actually-work/)