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PPE Image Gallery: Respiratory Protective Equipment - Civilian

Respiratory PPE - Civilian
Selected Respiratory Protection Masks
See also:
- Dermal PPE - Civilian
- Respiratory PPE - Military
- See all REMM information about Radiation Emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- US Department of Labor Videos
  - The Difference Between Respirators and Surgical Masks (OSHA, December 2009)
  - Respirator Safety. Donning (Putting on) and Doffing (Taking off) and User Seal Checks (OSHA, December 2009)

Respiratory PPE - Civilian

Respirator Type	Comments
Air-purifying respirator (APR)¹ Disposable Half mask Negative-pressure Assigned Protection Factor (APF): 10 Fit Testing Required? Yes	Air-purifying respirator (APR), disposable Key Features Usually half mask, negative-pressure particulate respirator Inspiratory effort of wearer draws air through filter Filter comprises all or a significant portion of the facepiece Airborne particles removed as inspired air passes through filter NIOSH-certified CBRN air-purifying respirators with HEPA or P-100 filters provide the minimum acceptable level of protection against inhalation of particles for personnel working in environments likely to be contaminated with radioactive materials Advantages Light weight Does not restrict mobility Low cost (compared to other respirators) Disadvantages Does not supply oxygen (cannot be used in low oxygen environments) May only be used when air contaminant level is below the concentration limits of the filter Fit testing required Some contaminated air will leak into facepiece Half mask models do not provide adequate eye protection Full facepiece models may fog up during use Communication can be difficult
Air-purifying respirator (APR)¹ Reusable Elastomeric Half mask Negative-pressure Assigned Protection Factor (APF): 10 Fit Testing Required? Yes	Air-purifying respirator (APR), reusable Key Features Elastic facepiece worn over mouth and nose Inspiratory effort of wearer draws ambient air through filter(s) before air is inhaled Provides increased protection when used with filters, cartridges, or canisters that remove specific contaminants Advantages Comparatively light weight Does not restrict mobility Relatively low cost (compared to other respirators) Disadvantages Does not supply oxygen (cannot be used in low oxygen environments) May only be used when air contaminant level is below the concentration limits of the filter(s) Fit testing required Some contaminated air can leak into facepiece Half mask models do not provide adequate eye protection Communication can be difficult
Air-purifying respirator (APR)¹ Reusable Elastomeric Full facepiece Negative-pressure Assigned Protection Factor (APF): 50 Fit Testing Required? Yes	Air-purifying respirator (APR), reusable Key Features Elastic facepiece covers entire face Inspiratory effort of wearer draws ambient air through filter(s) before air is inhaled Provides increased protection when used with filters, cartridges, or canisters that remove specific contaminants Advantages Comparatively light weight Does not restrict mobility Provides both respiratory and eye protection Disadvantages Does not supply oxygen (cannot be used in low oxygen environments) May only be used when air contaminant level is below the concentration limits of the filter(s) Fit testing required Some contaminated air can leak into facepiece Communication can be difficult
Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)¹ Loose-fitting Assigned Protection Factor (APF): 25 Fit Testing Required? No	Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) Key Features Battery powered blower forces contaminated ambient air through air-purifying filters Purified air delivered under positive-pressure to facepiece mask, helmet, or hood Worn when disposable and reusable half mask negative-pressure air-purifying respirators do not provide adequate protection Advantages Provides greater protection than non-powered negative-pressure air-purifying respirators More comfortable to wear and to breathe compared to non-powered negative-pressure air-purifying respirators Air delivery to facepiece mask, helmet, or hood ensures that leakage of contaminated air is usually outward Fit testing not required Various chemical cartridges or canisters available to eliminate chemicals including organic vapors and acid gases Provides both respiratory and eye protection Disadvantages Bulky and noisy Battery dependent Is not a true positive-pressure device (i.e., some leakage of contaminated air into facepiece mask, helmet, or hood can occur) Communication can be difficult
Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)¹ Hooded Assigned Protection Factor (APF): 25 Fit Testing Required? No	Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) Key Features Battery powered blower forces contaminated ambient air through air-purifying filters Purified air delivered under positive-pressure to facepiece mask, helmet, or hood Worn when disposable and reusable half mask negative-pressure air-purifying respirators do not provide adequate protection Advantages Provides greater protection than non-powered negative-pressure air-purifying respirators More comfortable to wear and to breathe compared to non-powered negative-pressure air-purifying respirators Air delivery to facepiece mask, helmet, or hood ensures that leakage of contaminated air is usually outward Fit testing not required Various chemical cartridges or canisters available to eliminate chemicals including organic vapors and acid gases Provides both respiratory and eye protection Disadvantages Bulky and noisy Battery dependent Is not a true positive-pressure device (i.e., some leakage of contaminated air into facepiece mask, helmet, or hood can occur) Communication can be difficult
Supplied-air respirator (SAR)¹ Full facepiece Assigned Protection Factor (APF): 1,000 Fit Testing Required? Yes Auxiliary escape respirator¹ Assigned Protection Factor (APF): 10,000 (when used in "escape" mode) Fit Testing Required? Yes	Supplied-air respirator (SAR) Key Features Compressed air delivered from a stationary source (located away from contaminated area) to a half or full facepiece mask via a hose Worn when negative-pressure and powered air-purifying respirators do not provide adequate protection Advantages Provides high level respiratory protection Provides positive pressure to mask so almost all leakage is outward Less bulky and can be used for longer periods than self-contained breathing apparatus May be easier for hospital personnel to use Provides both respiratory and eye protection Disadvantages Length of air hose may limit mobility Air hose may be a trip hazard Clean source of breathing air required Fit testing required Immediately operable emergency escape respirator, escape hood, or escape mask is required Communication can be difficult Auxiliary escape respirator, escape hood, or escape mask Key Features Carried or worn in case of SAR failure Protects wearer from breathing harmful gases, vapors, fumes, and dusts for a limited amount of time in emergency situations Can be designed as an air-purifying escape respirator (APER) or a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) type respirator APERs have a filter canister mounted on a hood to filter contaminants before air is inhaled SCBA type escape respirators have an attached source of breathing air and a hood that provides a barrier against contaminated outside air
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)¹ Full facepiece Assigned Protection Factor (APF): 10,000 (in pressure demand mode) Fit Testing Required? Yes	Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Key Features Provides very pure, dry compressed air to full facepiece mask via a hose Air is exhaled to environment By law, must be worn whenever entering environments immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) or when information is inadequate to rule out IDLH atmosphere Advantages Provides highest level of respiratory protection Several different types available depending on need Improved mobility over Supplied-Air Respirators Provides both respiratory and eye protection Disadvantages Heavy to wear Limited oxygen supply limits duration of use Fit testing required Communication can be difficult