Features of respirators for respiratory protection from chemicals

When carrying out various construction and industrial works, the use of a respirator is required. This is a special device through which a person is supplied with air purified from harmful pollution. Such contaminants include dust, poisonous vapors or gases.

The modern market for personal protective equipment is represented by a wide range of respirators. Each has its own purpose and its own degree of protection.

A respirator is one of the personal protective equipment that ensures the safety of the respiratory system. It prevents harmful substances from entering:

• aerosols;
• gases;
• chemicals;
• vapors.

Also, the respirator does not allow dust to enter the respiratory system. Today, such remedies are widespread in many areas. They are used in mines, mines, as well as in various industries.

The principle of the respirator is simple. Air purification from chemistry is carried out by filtration through special materials, as well as by means of physicochemical processes.

For the first time, a means of protecting the lungs appeared in the 16th century. At that time, a homemade respirator was a gauze soaked in a special composition, which was additionally wrapped in several layers. With the help of such a bandage, it was possible to prevent the poisoning of soldiers with smoke from a shot.

Today, the key elements of a respirator include:

• front part - designed to isolate and protect the respiratory system from poisonous or harmful odors and substances dissolved in the air;
• filter (provided in some devices);
• a balloon that provides a filtered flow.

Also, in a number of models, additional elements are installed that improve the design.

There are several types of masks. If we consider the classification of protective equipment according to the principle of action, then they are divided into the following types.

• Insulating. A distinctive feature of the devices is complete autonomy. Such products guarantee maximum respiratory protection for the wearer. Such RPEs are in demand in polluted environments where conventional filtration is not enough, since it is not able to perform high-quality air purification.
• Filtering. The devices are used to clean the air flow taken from the external environment in which harmful substances and gases are common. These respirators have a significantly lower degree of safety compared to the first group.

Additionally, insulating products are divided into:

• autonomous with open and closed circuits;
• hose-type with constant and periodic supply of filtered air;
• hose, pressure-operated.

If we classify respirators by the type of contamination they are able to fight, then they distinguish:

• anti-aerosol devices - they provide air purification from sprayed aerosols, and also retain dust and smoke outside;
• gas masks - designed to clean the air from poisonous vapors or gases;
• combined - able to clean the air from both aerosols and gases.

As for the division of respirators by purpose, there are industrial, household and medical devices.

Today, manufacturers of personal protective equipment produce different models of respirators. You can determine what the filter is capable of protecting from by the brand that is indicated on each device.

• A1P1D. Protects against organic vapors and gases as well as aerosols.

• B1P1D. Protects against inorganic gases and vapors.

• E1P1D. Provides protection against acid fumes and gases.

• K1P1D. Protects against the effects of ammonia and its organic derivatives.

• A1B1E1P1D. Prevents the penetration of organic substances of a high boiling point into the respiratory organs, as well as inorganic acid gases, vapors.

• A1B1E1K1P1D. The model with maximum protection.

Each model has its own characteristics, which are worth paying attention to when choosing the right device.

Finding the right respirator will first need to determine the purpose of its use. If the case is simple, then it will be enough to buy a simple device at a time or use a cloth soaked in water.

When an impressive amount of harmful gases and other poisonous substances accumulate in the room where the work is being carried out, it is better to purchase universal means that include filters or a gas mask design. Such RPEs are used under conditions of optimal oxygen concentration.

Despite the fact that respirators are not able to provide a 100% guarantee of protection, they are still considered to be in demand. They are used on construction sites, various industries and even in the agricultural sector.

For the features of respirators for respiratory protection from chemicals, see the video.