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What Is a Respirator Used for?

Respirators are used to protect the wearer from breathing dangerous gases, dusts, chemicals, toxins, biological hazards or airborne diseases.

  1. Emergency Respirator

    • An emergency respirator is used for evacuation or rescue in situations involving respiratory hazards. They are generally intended for short-time use of approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

    Air-Purifying Respirators

    • This respirator allows air to pass through an air-purifying filter that removes any harmful contaminants. It purifies environmental oxygen, but does not have an independent oxygen supply.

    Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

    • This is the type of respirator used by fire fighters. It has a limited air supply that is generated from a tank worn on the back and attached to a face mask.

    Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator

    • This type of respirator is used in situations where oxygen levels are low or to prevent exposure to toxic vapors.

    Particulate Respirators

    • Health care workers wear particulate respirators to protect against airborne pathogens by filtering particles out of the air they are breathing.

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