@lisalucier Hi, the dirt and dust are likely just physical irritant that is bothering your lungs that are already inflamed from chemical irritants. I find the same thing when I work in the garden. I don’t use the Cambridge mask for this as any mask that filters out particles would work and be less hot and limiting.

@lisalucier Our friends and neighbors who are landscapers all wear facial protection, but seldom an actual mask. Most common are neck gaiters (Home Depot actually sells them) and good old-fashioned red bandannas just like the cowboys in the Old West. I have used a bandanna myself to avoid that dirt-in-the lungs feeling when no mask is on hand. Not perfect, but easy to breathe through.

Like jeans, bandannas are a part of our American heritage! I have a drawer full of them - when I go out in the garage or garden, I often have one over my hair, one around my neck and one in my pocket to wipe off sweat. They also make great travel washcloths. And all arewashable/reuseable just about forever. I recently tossed the last few raggedy ones that had belonged to my father-in-law, and he has been gone for over 30 years.

PS If you need n95 protection, bandanna are NOT the answer. But for daily use they keep the big stuff out. That reminds me - I will have a teenage brigade here to spread mulch in a couple weeks - I'll get some cool-looking ones fot them!