Respiratory Protection
Respiratory equipment protects users against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. These wearable devices are used to filter airborne contaminants or to provide clean, breathable air to the user.
NIOSH-approved respiratory protection consists of two main types: air-purifying respirators (APRs) and atmosphere-supplied respirators (ASRs). It is crucial to identify all respiratory hazards within an environment before choosing a type of respirator.
APRs remove particles, gases, vapors, aerosols, or a combination of contaminants from the air using filters, cartridges, or canisters. APR types include:
- Particulate filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) – Limited-use, multi-layer masks that filter out airborne particles. Available with or without an exhalation valve.
- Half-mask and full-face respirators – Reusable masks that use filters, cartridges, or canisters to remove contaminants. See for product selection.
- Powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) – Reusable systems that utilize a blower to force ambient air through a purifying element before it reaches the user. Used in conjunction with a tight-fitting facepiece or respiratory system hood or helmet, depending on application.
ASRs provide clean breathing air from a non-ambient source. These respirators protect workers from many types of airborne contaminants (particles, gases, and vapors) and, in certain cases, oxygen-deficient atmospheres. ASR types include:
- Supplied air respirators (SARs) – Use a remote air source such as a compressor or breathing cart to provide Grade D breathable air. Complete systems include a supplied airline hose, air regulating valve, breathing tube, and respiratory system hood or helmet.
- Emergency escape breathing apparatus (EEBA) – Typically consists of a small portable air cylinder to provide short-term protection from contaminated air so users can evacuate quickly from an unsafe area.
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) – Feature back-mounted cylinders filled with breathable compressed air and are commonly used by firefighters or others who may be exposed to immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) atmospheres.
Face masks are single-use barriers that cover a user’s nose and mouth and should not be used in lieu of OSHA-standard respiratory protection.
Fit testing kits are designed to evaluate respirator fit, determine device suitability, and adhere to compliance requirements. Tight-fitting APRs and ASRs and particulate FFRs require initial and annual fit testing. EEBA, loose-fitting hoods, and face masks do not require fit testing.
Regulatory compliance details can be obtained at the individual product level.
3M™ Sensitivity Solution FT-31, Bitter
Bitter sensitivity solution is used to check face-to-respirator seal on any particulate respirator or gas/vapor respirator with a particulate prefilter.
3M™ N95 Particulate Respirators, 8110S and 8210 Series
Lightweight disposable particulate respirators designed to provide protection of at least 95 percent filtration efficiency against certain non-oil based particles in applications such as grinding, sanding, sweeping, sawing, bagging or other dusty operations.
3M™ 7500 Series Reusable Half Facepiece Reusable Respirators
Half-mask respirators with enhanced comfort and visibility use a bayonet attachment system for twin lightweight filters to protect against gases, vapors and particulates.
3M™ 6000 Series Half Face Mask Respirator
Half-face mask respirators 6000 Series are economical, low-maintenance, and extremely lightweight. Probed reusable respirator assembly 6000Q series are used for quantitative fit purposes only.
3M™ Rugged Comfort 6500 Series Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator
Half facepiece respirators are designed to help promote comfort, durability, and stability with a resilient, lightly textured silicone faceseal and strong body construction.
3M™ 6000 Series Reusable Full Facepiece Respirator
Requires limited maintenance time—reducing need for expensive repair programs
3M™ P95 Particulate Respirators with Nuisance Level Relief
P95 general purpose particulate respirators offer nuisance level acid gas (model 8576) or organic vapor relief (model 8577).
3M™ N95 Aura™ Particulate Respirators, 9205+
Three-panel, flat-fold disposable respirators provide comfortable, reliable worker protection against non-oil based particles.
3M™ Aura™ Series N95 Particulate Respirators
Particulate respirators with or without Cool Flow™ valve offer a comfortable fit that conform to a wide range of face sizes.
3M™ VFlex™ 1804 Series N95 Healthcare Particulate Respirators and Surgical Masks
N95 surgical masks provide respiratory protection against certain airborne particles. The folded style expands for a spacious feel and the pleats help increase surface area for ease of breathing.
3M™ N95 Healthcare Particulate Respirators and Surgical Masks, 1860 Series
Disposable respirators provide protection against certain airborne biological particles. Fluid resistant to splash and spatter of blood and other infectious material.
Ansell Kimtech™ M3 Sterile Face Masks
Sterile masks feature non-irritating BiCoSof™ inner facing and bendable aluminum nosepiece. Available with earloops or soft ties.
Fisherbrand™ Disposable Face Mask
3-ply Face masks. Latex and fiberglass free.
Medicom™ SafeMask™ Architect Pro™ N95 Surgical Respirator
The SafeMask™ Architect Pro™ N95 Surgical Respirator is a medical grade respirator providing optimal respiratory protection by filtering 95% of particulate aerosols free of oil.
Hourglass International™ HCE™ 2-Ply Cleanroom Face Masks with Earloops
Cleanroom face masks provide long-wear comfort while protecting the environment from human contaminants including skin flakes, cosmetics, bacteria and other particles. Suitable for Class 100/ISO 5 controlled environments.