<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

If there are particles of wheat, rye or barley floating in the air as in a 
bakery or an animal feed barn, etc. these particles WILL end up in the gut 
if they are inhaled.

The inside of the nose & throat is covered with mucous & tiny hairs called 
celia.  The mucous & celia trap particles & brush them to the back of the 
throat where they are swallowed.  This process is controlled by involuntary 
reflexes and cannot be prevented.  This is part of our body's natural 
defense system.  The system is designed to protect us from invasion of 
bacteria & viruses by trapping & sending these pathogens to the stomach 
where they can be destroyed by stomach acid & digestion.  Unfortunately, 
gluten is not destroyed by stomach acid & normal digestion.

Flour & grain particles are quite large compared to bacteria & virusus so 
just about any good fitting mask should provide adequate protection from 
these particles entering the nasal passages.  However finding a good fitting 
mask that effectively seals out unfiltered air can be difficult.

Valerie in Tacoma

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