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Selecting a Respirator

Types of Respirators

There are several types of respirators, each designed for specific purposes and levels of protection.

  1. Half Mask/Dust Mask: Filter out a specific amount of airborne particles, including large respiratory droplets and smaller aerosol particles.
  2. Half-Face Respirators (Elastomeric): Cover the nose and mouth, and equipped with replaceable filters for particulates or gases. Typically used in industrial settings.
  3. Full-Face Respirators (Elastomeric): Cover the entire face and provide a higher level of protection against particulates and harmful gases.
  4. Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs): Use a battery-powered blower to pull air through filters, providing a constant supply of clean air. These can be used with hoods or helmets.
  5. Supplied Air Respirator (SAR): SARs are used when air-purifying respirators (APRs) are not adequate, such as in environments with unknown chemicals or immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). 
  6. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA): Provide breathable air from a tank, used in environments with toxic gases or where oxygen levels are low, such as firefighting