Respiration Masks: Types and Safety Procedures

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<h1>Respiration Masks: Types and Safety Procedures</h1><strong> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Mr William Hauselberg.aspx'>Mr William Hauselberg</a></strong><br /><p>Respiration masks are essential for health and safety in a variety of occupations and situations. The type of mask required depends on the type of hazardous materials one may come in contact with. The two main types of respirators include air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying respirators. Air-purifying respirators filter out harmful particles and purify the air, through the use of cartridges, filters, or canisters. Atmosphere-supplying respirators provide an alternate source of filtered and compressed air. OHSA has assigned each class of respirators a number, based on the level of protection it provides. The level of protection increases as the number gets higher. Respirators may be either tight or loose-fitting. Tight-fitting respirators require a snug seal with the face and neck, to ensure maximum protection. These types of respirators will not function properly if facial hair, jewelry, or clothing gets in the way. Tight-fitting respirators must be fitted individually and fit tested at least every twelve months. Loose-fitting respirators do not rely on a seal to function and so do not need to be fit tested. Construction Masks and Respirators Respiration masks, used in the trade industry, range from a simple dust safety mask to a full-face respirator. Disposable dust masks are used to filter out harmful particles in the air, but they do not block harmful vapors or dust levels above ten times the permissible amount. Air-purifying respirators protect one’s lungs from harmful dust, vapors, and toxins created when sanding, grinding, metal machining, painting, and more. Full-face respirators also protect against chemical sprays. Industrial Respirators for Heavy Contamination Industrial respirators include self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBAs, which may be either closed or open-circuit. Closed-circuit SCBAs, or re-breathers, filter and re-circulate exhaled air. They may be used when the situation does not allow for bulky equipment, such as in a mine rescue operation or when an indefinite supply of oxygen is needed. Open-circuit SCBAs are often used by firefighters and rescue workers. They protect against very high concentrations of airborne chemicals and harmful particles and include an air tank, with about an hour’s worth of air. Medical and Lab Masks Face masks are important in healthcare and lab services to prevent the transmission of disease. A disposable surgical mask may be used for convenience, but it is loose-fitting and will not protect against inhalants. It will prevent the wearer from splattered fluid or from spreading droplets saliva and mucus by their nose or mouth. N95 masks are a popular type of dust safety mask. They are designed to fit snugly over the nose and mouth, to protect from fine particles that contain viruses. More comprehensive masks, that require some training to use, include Powered Air Purifying Respirators, or PAPRs, and gas masks. PAPRs may be either loose or tight-fitting. They include a fan that circulates air through a HEPA filter and into a breathing pipe, which is attached to a face piece or hood. Gas masks purge the air of harmful chemicals and biological contaminants, as a person breathes. Gas masks require specific filters for different contaminants. As with all safety equipment, correct sizing and training is essential for proper functioning. One should never underestimate the danger of neglecting a safety mask, which could lead to respiratory damage or transmission of disease. There are a wide variety of respiration masks, to ensure comfort and safety in every situation. </p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />The author has an immense knowledge on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.gallawayb2b.com/Product-Matrix-3M-Disposable-Respirators-Dusty-Conditions">dust safety mask</a>. Know more about dust safety mask related info in his website. <p> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Respiration-Masks-Types-and-Safety-Procedures_281421.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Respiration Masks: Types and Safety Procedures_281421.aspx</a></p>

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