Powered Air-Purifying Respirators

Overview

PAPRs are reusable respirators that can be used to protect against gases, vapors, or particles, when equipped with the appropriate filter, cartridge, or canister. They are battery-powered with a blower that pulls air through attached filters or cartridges to clean it before delivering it to your breathing zone. PAPRs provide low breathing resistance with a high level of protection.

PAPRs often have a hood or helmet that covers your nose, mouth, and eyes. Therefore, they also provide eye protection. A PAPR may have a tight-fitting half or full facepiece or a loose-fitting facepiece, hood, or helmet.

Unlike tight-fitting PAPRs, loose-fitting PAPRs do not require fit testing. They may be a good alternative if you have facial hair or are unable to pass a fit test with a tight-fitting respirator.

Protection

Particulate protection

There are two different filter classes that PAPRs can be equipped with:

• High efficiency (HE^®)
• PAPR100
  • The PAPR100 class includes two series, PAPR100-P^® and PAPR100-N^®.
  • Both series provide the same level of protection as an HE filter, filtering 99.97% of airborne particles.

Gas or vapor protection

PAPRs can be equipped with:

• Gas/vapor cartridges or canisters.
  • Employers should select a cartridge/canister certified to be used for the specific class or chemicals or gas/vapor found in your workplace.
• Combination cartridges or canisters.
  • These can provide protection against gases, vapors, and particles.

Additionally, NIOSH approves chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) PAPRs. These PAPRs have a blower to provide purified air to the user by drawing the contaminated air through an air-purifying canister(s) or cartridges. Important design differences separate CBRN PAPRs from non-CBRN PAPRs.

Resources