Types of Air Purifying Respirators

Air Purifying Full Face Mask Respirators

• The air purifying full face mask respirator is heavier than the half face masks and provides protection from many contaminants. The face piece extends around the entire face, covering the mouth, eyes, chin and nose, which makes it harder to wear for people who wear glasses. The masks use cartridges and filters to purify the air as the wearer breathes.These cartridges can filter toxic dusts including asbestos and silica, low levels of mineral acid gas or mist, low levels of pesticide vapors or mists, metallic mercury vapors and organic vapors. This air purifier is used in oxygen-deficient atmospheres or in atmospheres that have high concentrations of contaminants.

Air Purifying Half Mask Respirator

• The air purifying half mask respirator is lighter than the full mask respirator. It has a rubber face seal that fits over the nose and under the chin. It protects the wearer from the same air contaminants as the full mask. The downside of this mask is it does not offer as good protection as the full face mask because it does not provide eye protection or cover the full face. These masks can not be used in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)

• This battery-powered respirator has a portable fan that circulates air through a chemical filter and blows it into the wearer's face piece. The fan and filter unit is worn as either part of the wearer's face piece or is mounted on the wearer's back or belt. Half and full face masks are available as well as helmets and hoods. The advantage to this respirator is the positive pressure provided by the fan forcing air into the face piece thereby eliminating the difficult breathing problems common with negative pressure respirators. The PAPR is strictly battery operated so the battery pack must be worn at all times.