Many manufacturers offer a choice of two materials. Ī range of elastomers are used, including silicone, neoprene, EPDM ( ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber), or proprietary elastomers such as Hycar. Air-purifying respirators draw the surrounding air through filters which remove contaminants. They are more complex and heavier, but less bulky about the head, and can be worn for longer. Air-supplying respirators are usually positive-pressure, so they leak outwards, and thus offer better protection. Pink hard-case P100 particulate filter cartridges make their presence or absence conspicuous at a distance.Įlastomeric respirators are examples of air-filtering respirators, in contrast to air-supplying respirators. Physical form This full-face mask also protects the eyes, and has an inner orinasal mask to reduce dead space. Īlthough powered air-purifying respirators and air-supplying respirators may have elastomeric masks, they are not generally referred to as elastomeric respirators. Some, but not all, filter materials are proprietary and manufacturer-specific, and supply-chain failures can make replacements hard to find. Provided the cartridge integrity and filter have not been compromised, current practice shows that the filters could be used for at least one year. Įlastomeric air-purifying respirators are designed to be safely reused for years. As particulate filters, they are comparable (or, due to the quality and error-tolerance of the elastomeric seal, possibly superior ) to filtering facepiece respirators such as N95 respirators and FFP masks. Elastomeric respirators can be used with chemical cartridge filters that remove gases, mechanical filters that retain particulate matter, or both. Įlastomeric respirators consist of a reusable mask that seals to the face, with exchangeable filters. They are generally reusable.įull-face versions of elastomeric respirators seal better and protect the eyes. Regulatory compliance details can be obtained at the individual product level.Respirator with a rubber face seal Protective P100 half-face elastomeric filter mask worn by a NYPD officer proprietary 3M pink pancake filters Similar mask with generic flat disk filters.Įlastomeric respirators, also called reusable air-purifying respirators, seal to the face with elastomeric material, which may be a natural or synthetic rubber. EEBA, loose-fitting hoods, and face masks do not require fit testing. Tight-fitting APRs and ASRs and particulate FFRs require initial and annual fit testing. Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) – Feature back-mounted cylinders filled with breathable compressed air and are commonly used by firefighters or others who may be exposed to immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) atmospheres.įace masks are single-use barriers that cover a user’s nose and mouth and should not be used in lieu of OSHA-standard respiratory protection.įit testing kitsare designed to evaluate respirator fit, determine device suitability, and adhere to compliance requirements.Emergency escape breathing apparatus (EEBA) – Typically consists of a small portable air cylinder to provide short-term protection from contaminated air so users can evacuate quickly from an unsafe area.Complete systems include a supplied airline hose, air regulating valve, breathing tube, and respiratory system hood or helmet. Supplied air respirators (SARs) – Use a remote air sourcesuch as a compressor or breathing cart to provide Grade D breathable air.These respirators protect workers from many types of airborne contaminants (particles, gases, and vapors) and, in certain cases, oxygen-deficient atmospheres. Used in conjunction with a tight-fitting facepiece or respiratory system hood or helmet, depending on application.ĪSRs provide clean breathing air from a non-ambient source. Powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) – Reusable systems that utilize a blower to force ambient air through a purifying element before it reaches the user.Half-mask and full-face respirators – Reusable masks that use filters, cartridges, or canisters to remove contaminants.Available with or without an exhalation valve. Particulate filtering facepiece respirators(FFRs) – Limited-use, multi-layer masks that filter out airborne particles.It is crucial to identify all respiratory hazards within an environment before choosing a type of respirator.ĪPRs remove particles, gases, vapors, aerosols, or a combination of contaminants from the air using filters, cartridges, or canisters. NIOSH-approved respiratory protection consists of two main types: air-purifying respirators (APRs) and atmosphere-supplied respirators (ASRs). These wearable devices are used to filter airborne contaminants or to provide clean, breathable air to the user. Respiratory equipment protects users against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays.
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