Respirator: what it is, types, purpose

Respirators are worn when you have to paint something at home, process wood in the workshop or be in the workshop where the chemical products are prepared. It covers the nose and mouth (some models also cover the eyes), becoming a barrier to harmful substances and dust that are in the air. The respirator protects the respiratory organs from dust, toxic gases and vapors, and aerosols. This means does not completely isolate from harmful substances, but significantly filters unsafe particles. Respirators can be:

• industrial - they are used in production, on construction sites;
• Medical - for protection against viruses and allergens.

What is a respirator

It resembles a half face mask, which fits tightly to the chin, cheeks, covers the nose. The dense frame is sheathed in a shell. The air enters through a valve with filters that trap harmful substances and allow air to pass through. According to their action, respirators come in:

• Isolating - they are connected to a cylinder of oxygen, which completely eliminates the inhalation of harmful substances. Such models are used in super harmful production and are rarely used in the home.
• Filtering - they purify the air through several layers of special protective material.

The most common filtering models. They are cheap, simple and easy to use and easy to replace. There are disposable respirators without valves, they are called disposable masks. Their entire surface is made of filtering material with a porous structure.

Half masks come in two types:

• molded - cut to the shape of the face, in storage they are folded;
• Unmolded - rounded shape. After the half mask is put on, it is spread over the face and fixed with elastic elements in the nose area.

For respirators with replaceable filters, the filters are replaced as needed. This is cheaper than buying a new respirator. Respirators with built-in filters are disposable.

Types of respirators

These personal protective equipment come in several types:

• Anti-dust - pads made of thin-fiber filter materials. Petryanov filter is popular because it is flexible, durable and dustproof.
• Gas mask - a special material filters out gases and vapors.
• Gas-dustproof - isolate from aerosols, gases and from dust.
• Cotton gauze bandages - designed to filter lightly contaminated air.

Purpose

Respirators are chosen depending on what impurities are in the air:

• aerosols - anti-dust respirators will do;
• Chlorine, petrol, kerosene and acetone vapours - gas masks are suitable;
• Dust and gas - gas-dust-proof models.

For a respirator to really protect, it must fit tightly to the face. For this reason, a respirator can be tight-fitting on the skin if used for an extended period of time. Condensation forms under the material and the face can become moist. Sometimes there is difficulty in breathing due to resistance when breathing in. To minimize discomfort, choose respirators according to size. If the environment is very polluted, you need to change your protective equipment more often. Otherwise the respirator gets dirty and it becomes harder to breathe in.