You could always wear your own respirator to protect your lungs, they're just a bitch to wear, are really hot, and you have to shave every day. It's not something I would ever want to do (especially now that I have a big beard). And, some people (like me) can't wear them, as any imperfections in nasal cavities and mucus membranes in the head can prevent an air tight seal around the mask, making them useless. When I went to get fitted for a mask when I worked in a rock quarry, the nurse couldn't get any of the respirators to properly seal. They even tried a full face mask, and still couldn't get an air tight seal. The nurse and I just surmised I had a weird head.