page_title: Powered air-purifying respirator
section_title: Usage
hierarchical_section_title: Powered air-purifying respirator / Usage
context_page_description: A powered air-purifying respirator is a type of respirator used to safeguard workers against contaminated air. PAPRs consist of a headgear-and-fan assembly that takes ambient air contaminated with one or more type of pollutant or pathogen, actively removes a sufficient proportion of these hazards, and then delivers the clean air to the user's face or mouth and nose. They have a higher assigned protection factor than filtering facepiece respirators such as N95 masks. PAPRs are sometimes called positive-pressure masks, blower units, or just blowers.
context_section_description: According to the NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic, PAPRs are recommended for concentrations of hazardous particulates or gases that are greater than the relevant occupational exposure limit but less than the immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) level and the manufacturer's maximum-use concentration, subject to the respirator having a sufficient assigned protection factor.  For substances hazardous to the eyes, a respirator equipped with a full facepiece, helmet, or hood is recommended.  PAPRs are not effective during firefighting, in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, or in an unknown atmosphere; in these situations a self-contained breathing apparatus or supplied-air respirator is recommended instead. 
  PAPRs have the advantage of eliminating breathing resistance caused by unpowered negative-pressure respirators such as N95 masks.  This makes them usable by persons who are medically disqualified from negative-pressure respirators.  Loose-fitting PAPRs may also be selected for people who cannot pass a fit test due to facial hair or other reasons.  PAPRs have disadvantages in terms of ergonomic impacts, and they restrict peripheral vision.
caption: This full-face mask has an inner orinasal mask to reduce dead space, and, since it is being used against asbestos, white exhalation valves. The hose connects to a PAPR filter-pump.
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