The 3 Most Effective Forms of Respiratory Protection - John Gower
 

When it comes to choosing the best, most effective types of respiratory protection, there’s a lot to consider. You have to think about the types of protection, what situations they work in and the advantages and disadvantages. It’s also important to consider the latest and greatest respiratory technology as well as the individuals using the respiratory protection. Of course, there’s a lot of information about respiratory protection available, from consumer advertisements to government regulations, so start with the basic information contained below.

Why and When are Respirators Used?

A respirator is a device that is made to protect the user from inhaling any harmful materials. They are used by many industries to protect employees, including the military, private and public industries. The respirators are used anytime a harmful material is present in the air, whether it’s dust, vapors, fumes, gases or any other dangerous material. There are two major types of respirators, the air purifying and the air-supplied types, described in more detail below. The situation you need protection in determines the type of respirator, which is appropriate to use.

Disposable Respirators

Disposable respirators are the simplest form of respiratory protection, offering a cheap way to protect workers from air particles like dust or mold. These respirators belong to the air-purifying category of respirators, meaning that the air you’re breathing is taken through a particulate respirator as you breath in. Most disposable respirators filter out at least 95% of harmful airborne particles. When using a disposable respirator, make sure it fits properly and do a user seal check to make sure no air is escaping. Disposable respirators must be thrown out when they become clogged as they cannot be cleaned or disinfected.

Reusable Respirators

Many reusable respirators are available which also fall into the air-purifying category. These respirators allow you to clean and disinfect them, using them again and again to filter airborne particles. Different types of reusable respirators are available which filter the air in different ways. Mechanical filters retain the particulate matter as it passes through the filter material. Chemical cartridge filters use a cartridge to remove gases, vapors and other volatile compounds. When the filter is full and used up, you can simply replace the cartridge with a new one. Powered air-purifying respirators take contaminated air and then remove the contaminants. The air is then supplied to the user using a fan or other mechanical solution.

Air-Supplied Respirators

An air-supplied solution or a  “Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus” (SCBA) consists of three components. A tank contains the air, a pressure regulator is included to regulate airflow and an inhalation connection carries air from the tank to your lungs via a facemask or mouthpiece. The many types of SCBA devices work in different ways, some supplying a constant airflow and others providing it on demand. Theses devices work in high altitudes, closed environments and other dangerous environments where the oxygen supply is insufficient.

Respiratory Protection for Children

While children aren’t typically placed into dangerous work conditions, situations can still happen where a child needs additional respiratory protection. Children are more susceptible to mold and other air contaminants. Sometimes a child might have a disease where their immune system is weakened and they’re especially susceptible to contracting a disease. Many existing respiratory solutions don’t work for children as they’re simply too large for small faces or don’t provide a sufficient seal. A few solutions exist. The TOTOBOBO mask fits small children and adults, is cleanable and blocks viruses and other airborne contaminants. It’s important to find a small mask which provides a good seal all around the face. Remember that surgical masks aren’t typically an acceptable solution, as they don’t provide a true seal around the face.

Respiratory protection is a must in dangerous environments. If you’re around mold or dust, a simple disposable respirator might work but as the contaminants accumulate you need more sufficient protection. Find the right mask to take care of the situation you find yourself in, making sure it fits, seals and provides a sufficient airflow no matter where you are.

John Gower is a writer for NerdWallet, a site dedicated to helping consumers find online deals.

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