I think everyone has given you the same advice. I dry my peppers in a dehydrator and then grind them up into a fine powder with a small coffee grinder. If you think your going to do this, the respirator is an excellent idea. Just get a good huff of that powder when you take off the lid to the grinder and you will be running to the Home Depot to get one.
I still have a few containers of Bhut Jolokia, Naga Morich, and Moruga Scorpion powder still left. I sell them in those little plastic 2 ounce condiment containers you get at a restaurant. This is not to be confused with 2 ounces weighed out, but does show the volume. The first two are $10 each and the scorpion powder is $15.