I use masks in the barn, n95's, I dont need mold spores in my respiratory track, I have used respirators in the barn for a long time, I also use a paper mask when cleaning out the basement and woodstove, or if I am working in very dry dirt. I do not use them for pollen or regular gardening in normal soil, but barn dust can be nasty especially in winter, where the animals have been indoors and the chicken manure dries and turns to a fine powder floating around, it's a good way to get parasites too. Masks are useful, but not in everyday life, we have enough mucus in our noses and throats to gather and reject other things that are floating around. So, a good respirator or n95 is not completely useless, if you are doing farmwork, sanding, even cleaning out very dusty places.
I use masks in the barn, n95's, I dont need mold spores in my respiratory track, I have used respirators in the barn for a long time, I also use a paper mask when cleaning out the basement and woodstove, or if I am working in very dry dirt. I do not use them for pollen or regular gardening in normal soil, but barn dust can be nasty especially in winter, where the animals have been indoors and the chicken manure dries and turns to a fine powder floating around, it's a good way to get parasites too. Masks are useful, but not in everyday life, we have enough mucus in our noses and throats to gather and reject other things that are floating around. So, a good respirator or n95 is not completely useless, if you are doing farmwork, sanding, even cleaning out very dusty places.