Half-Mask Respirators
Half-mask respirators are reusable, NIOSH-rated air-purifying devices that protect the respiratory tract from exposure to harmful substances including dust, fog, fumes, mist, smoke, sprays, vapors, gases, and particulates. Half-mask respirators fit over the nose and mouth but do not protect the eyes or upper part of the face. They are National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-rated and have an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of 10. They may be constructed of silicone, thermoplastic, or rubber materials to allow for repeated cleaning, disinfection, storage, and reuse.
Half-mask respirators are used with exchangeable cartridges or filters that are designed to eliminate specific particulate or chemical substances. Some masks are pre-assembled with permanently attached cartridges. Filters and cartridges are designed for specific respirators and are not interchangeable with every respirator model or type.*
Half-mask respirators are available in small, medium, and large sizes but may be available as combined, small/medium, or medium/large sizes. They can be worn with safety eyewear or prescription eyeglasses if they do not interfere with the sealing surfaces or head straps. They can also be worn with hard hats, hoods, or face shields and are available with standard or drop-down head harness options. The drop-down design allows workers to communicate outside a contaminated area without totally removing the respirator.
Standard and adjustable harnesses and straps are made of durable, flexible material such as polyester, elastic, nylon, or rubber for a secure fit. If the half-mask respirator has adjustable straps, users may adjust them without completely removing the respirator.
Half-mask respirators used in industrial settings feature an exhalation valve to allow exhaled air to escape through the valve. However, half-mask respirators with exhalation valves should not be used in surgical or medical settings because unfiltered air coming out of the exhalation valve may contaminate the environment.
OSHA requires half-mask respirator fit testing before use and on a consistent, annual basis thereafter. Wearers should inspect half-mask respirators before each use to determine whether or not the respirator is complete and undamaged and to verify that the sealing material properly adheres to the face.
*Regulatory compliance details and filter/cartridge compatibility can be obtained at the individual product level.
Honeywell™ North™ 7700 Series Silicone Half-Mask Air-Purifying Respirator
Half-mask respirators with medical grade silicone sealing surface are flexible to provide a soft, secure, and comfortable fit. Low inhalation and exhalation resistance makes breathing easier to reduce worker fatigue.
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™ 5000 Series Disposable Half-Facepiece Respirators
Preassembled respirators are maintenance-free and require no spare parts
3M™ Rugged Comfort 6500 Series Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator
Rugged Comfort reusable respirator combines comfort, durability, and stability with an added quick latch mechanism to easily enable the mask to drop down from face without removing head straps.
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 Resuable Half-Facepiece Respirators with Replaceable P100 Filters
Lightweight, low-maintenance respirators come equipped with replaceable P100 filters (Style 2091)
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.
Dentec Safety™ Comfort-Air™ P100 Complete Half-Mask Respirator Assembly
P100 complete assembly half-mask respirators feature a 3-position adjustment to maximize compatibility with eye and face protection. Suitable for use when working with toxic dusts, mists, fumes, welding and asbestos.
3M™ Secure Click™ Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator
Secure Click™ style enables a quick and simple connection of filters and cartridges. Half-face respirator also comes equipped with speaking diaphragm for easy communication.
Dentec Safety™ Comfort-Air™ Series 300 Thermoplastic Facepiece Respirator with OV/R95 Filter Assembly
Organic Vapor/R95 thermoplastic respirators are worn when working with lacquer and enamel paints, pesticides, welding, dusts, and oil based particulate aerosols for up to 8 hours.
Dentec Safety™ Comfort-Air™ Series 100 Half-Mask Respirators with OV/R95 Filter Assembly
Silicone organic vapor/R95 half-mask respirators are suitable for lacquer and enamel paints, pesticides, welding, dusts, and oil based particulate aerosols for up to eight hours.
Dentec Safety™ Comfort-Air™ Series 100 Half-Face Respirators with R95 Filter Assembly
Silicone half-mask respirators with R95 filter assembly are suitable for welding, dusts and oil-based particulate aerosols.
Dentec Safety™ Comfort-Air™ Series 100 Half-Mask Respirators with OV/R95 Filter Assembly
Silicone organic vapor/R95 half-mask respirators are suitable for lacquer and enamel paints, pesticides, welding, dusts, and oil based particulate aerosols for up to eight hours.
Honeywell™ North™ HM500 Series Half Mask
Threaded half-mask is lightweight, durable and soft with easy operation features. Filters and cartridges not included.
MSA™ Comfo™ and Comfo Classic™ Half-Mask Respirators
Available in Hycar™ rubber or silicone, Comfo™ series half-mask respirators feature a unique face seal design for a comfortable fit.