HEPA respirators use high efficiency particulate air filters to keep harmful particles out of the air. They are used in various industries and can be certified by organizations like NIOSH. Employers should try to reduce exposure before using respirators.
A HEPA respirator is a breathing aid that uses a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. It is an air purifying respirator, which means that the filter helps keep harmful dust and other particles out of the air the wearer breathes. Although an isolation mask or dust mask is made of thin material that covers the nose and mouth, a HEPA respirator is often much larger and thicker. HEPA respirators are generally made in three styles: those that cover the mouth and nose only, those that cover the entire face, and those that cover the entire head.
HEPA filters were first developed in the 1940s to help prevent the spread of radioactive materials into the air during the Manhattan Project. The US Department of Energy and the European Union have both set standards for HEPA filters. Filters are usually made of randomly arranged fiberglass fibers to trap airborne particles. According to US standards, for example, a HEPA filter must remove at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter. In addition to their use in respirators, HEPA filters are also commonly used in air filtration and purification systems and vacuum cleaners.
Anyone who may be exposed to dangerous airborne particles, including bacteria, fungi, fumes, mists and gases, should protect themselves with a HEPA respirator. Respirators are commonly used by those in welding, medical, construction, demolition, and various industrial trades. A HEPA respirator could also be used by a homeowner working to remove asbestos or lead paint, as well as landscapers and pest control managers who spray chemicals that could be harmful if inhaled.
HEPA respirators can be certified by some organizations, such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States. The NIOSH filter classification system ranks the best HEPA filter that can be used with any type of particulate matter as a P100 filter. HEPA R100 and N100 filters have usage limitations. Before HEPA respirators are used in the workplace, it is recommended that employers try to reduce employee exposure to harmful airborne particles by other means. If a respirator is still needed, employees should first be instructed in how to use the respirator and the respirator should be tested for proper fit.
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