Full-face respirators are essential safety devices designed to protect the wearer’s entire face from hazardous airborne particles, gases, and chemicals. Unlike half-mask respirators that only cover the nose and mouth, full-face respirators also shield the eyes, providing comprehensive protection against potential irritants. These respirators are equipped with a transparent facepiece, typically made of silicone, rubber, or plastic, and feature integrated filters or cartridges that purify the air before it is inhaled.

Full-face respirators are crucial in environments where hazardous substances are present that require a higher level of protection than a half-mask style respirator.  In addition, the hazards may cause harm to the eyes and skin around the face.

All respirators have an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) that identifies the upper limit for which a particular style of respirator can be used. When used with a cartridge or particulate filter, a full-face respirator provides an APF of 50, while half-mask respirators have an APF of 10. Powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) with a hood or helmet has an APF of 25. What many people misunderstand is that a full-face respirator offers twice the APF compared to a PAPR. You can find more APF information from the CDC’s NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic publication.

Keep reading this blog on dentecsafety.com

Check out more news, articles and blogs here

• 
•