Dust Collectors are the best overall - but not everyone has the room, or maybe money, for one. They are a little noisy and in some cases very noisy. THat alone keeps me from using one.
Fans - blowing over the work area blows dust and fumes away.
Masks: MANY levels of this available:
- Simple white (or blue) mouth/nose masks
- canister or individual or special filter masks, single or double
- full face masks
- full head respirators
NOt all of these work for everyone. Because one works for one person does not mean it will work for another. Each person's allergy is different. Each person's physiology is different and therefore needs are different.
I evidently have large lungs and single filters are filled with water in a matter of minutes. Even making masks too tight, moisture escapes to fog my glasses. It takes the two filter/canister masks and over glasses goggles for me.
I bought the Triton back in June. It works fine for protection but I have one issue with it. In the summer when it is hot, (above 85°) humidity climbs fairly fast inside and the air replacement is not fast enough to keep the humidity out and the respirator begins to fog up. I am not the norm to judge this by though. I haven't read of anyone else having the problem with moisture build up with face masks and on glasses as much as I do, so for most people I would say it would work much better.
I love my woodworking and I love pen turning. I am going to do those, so for me, it is a matter of finding the right health protection items that fit me.