Respirator

Respirator

A Respirator is a device designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmospheres, including fumes, vapours, gases and particulate matter such as dusts and airborne microorganisms. There are two main categories: the air-purifying respirator, which forces contaminated air through a filtering element, and the air-supplied respirator, which provides an alternative supply of fresh air.

Types of Respirators

Air-Purifying Respirators

Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs) work by filtering out particulate matter like dusts, mists, and fumes. The air is pulled through the filter media into the mask or hood. APRs do not supply oxygen and therefore cannot be used in an atmosphere with a low oxygen concentration or in a contaminated atmosphere that can't be filtered.

Air-Supplied Respirators

Air-Supplied Respirators (ASRs) provide clean, breathable air from an uncontaminated source. Types of air-supplied respirators include:

• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
• Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR)

Usage

Respirators are used in a wide range of occupations, from the military to medicine. Respirators have been found to be helpful for those with respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, although their use is not widespread due to the difficulty of fitting them correctly and the need for constant monitoring.

See Also

• Personal protective equipment
• Mechanical ventilation
• Oxygen therapy

References

Respirator Resources
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