Not sure my respirator is sufficient ??

[Rodrunner]

I went out to my shop to try my hand at pouring plastics. Bought 40 dollars respirator, cartridges suited for paints, pesticides and such. Opened window and had box fan blowing hot plastic vapors towards it. I could really smell the plastic through the respirator. Should I be using something different? Thankyou.

[andrewlamberson]

If you can smell plastic with the respirator on...something is not right!

I recommend this respirator:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Professional-Multi-Purpose-Respirator-62023HA1-A/202080144?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-202080143-_-202080144-_-N

Andy

[Botanophilia]

If you're smelling the plastic you either are not achieving a tight seal (between the respirator and your face or between cartridges) or you have the wrong/bad cartridges.

[Rodrunner]

I knew something couldn't be right. Back of my throat still not quite right. I'll go get the one from home depot tomorrow. Thanks

[Kasilofchrisn]

The best respirator to wear is the size and brand you have been fit tested for.
That's the only way to be sure the one your wearing is actually protecting you like it should.
If you are not fit tested then buy a name brand respirator(North,Scott,3M) that is available to you locally and get fit tested in it.
Keep it clean and always put it away in a sealed plastic bag when done. Ziplocs work good.
The purple Hepa cartridges are good for dust and the OV(organic Vapor) cartridges are good for fumes.They also make a defender cartridge that has both on it.
Just remember the OV cartridge is only good for ~12 hours once the package is opened before needing replacement. the Hepa cartridges are good until they get clogged up or really dirty.
The white paper masks are not good for fumes and should not be worn for such as they are only a simple dust mask.
No respirator needed for me most of the time as I pour lead in a well ventilated area and do not do the soft plastics. I do wear it with certain airbrush paints if I am not powder painting things.
I wear a North Half mask with OV cartridges for that.My primary employer has fit tested me for one so I know it fits properly and I have been trained on cleaning and maintenance.
What fit testing does is make sure that the respirator fits your face properly.They have a machine that puts something harmless in the air and tests it level inside and outside your respirator while you preform things like bending over or turning your head for 1 minute. Its usually a series of 6 or 8 actions for 1 minute each.
If it is too big or too small  or you have odd facial features fumes can leak in around the sealing surface of the mask and you will get exposed that way.
Also if you have a beard that will cause it to not seal properly to your face.
I have thousands of hours wearing respirators in hazardous environments.If mine didn't fit properly I likely wouldn't be here today as the fumes or the lead dust would have done me in years ago.
But my employers have always trained me and fit tested me as well as make sure I could clean and service my respirator myself.