Are dust masks approved for protection against systemic poisons?

Dust masks are typically designed to filter out particulate matter from the air, such as dust, pollen, and other solid particles. However, they are not effective in providing protection against systemic poisons, which are substances that can be absorbed into the body through inhalation or skin contact and potentially cause harm.

Systemic poisons often exist in gaseous or vaporized forms that can bypass the filtration capabilities of a standard dust mask, leading to inhalation of hazardous substances into the bloodstream. For effective protection against chemical hazards or systemic poisons, more advanced respiratory protection, such as respirators with appropriate chemical filters or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), is necessary. These devices are specifically designed to address the inhalation hazards posed by toxic gases and vapors.

Thus, stating that dust masks are approved for protection against systemic poisons is inaccurate, reinforcing that option that indicates false is correct.