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under the best of circumstances, will allow some Disadvantages
contaminated air to leak into the facepiece. 1. The respirator cannot be used where a
sterile field is required because it has an
4. Communication may be difficult. exhalation valve and in some cases air can exit
around the face seal.
5. Special lens kits are required for those
respirator users who wear glasses. 2. Batteries must be recharged and maintained
to assure proper flow rates into the mask.

C. PAPRs 3. The respirator must be inspected, cleaned,
and repaired.
Tight-Fitting PAPR
4. Communication may be a problem.
These respirators also meet CDC guidelines for
protection against TB exposure. The equipment 5. A PAPR may be bulky and noisy.
is battery operated, consists of a half or full
facepiece, breathing tube, battery-operated
blower, and particulate filters (HEPA only). A Loose Fitting PAPR
PAPR uses a blower to pass contaminated air
through a HEPA filter, which removes the con- This respirator consists of a hood or helmet,
taminant and supplies purified air to a facepiece. breathing tube, battery-operated blower, and
A PAPR is not a true positive-pressure device be- HEPA filters. It meets CDC guidelines.
cause it can be over-breathed when inhaling. A
face shield may also be used in conjunction with Advantages
a half-mask PAPR respirator for protection 1. More protective than a half-mask respirator.
against body fluids.
2. The respirator is more comfortable because
Advantages it is loose-fitting.
1. The respirator is more protective than a
half-mask respirator. 3. Provides a cooling effect in the hood or
helmet.
2. The respirator is usually more comfortable
because air is forced into the mask by the 4. The respirator is du-
blower, producing a cooling effect. rable.

3. The respirator is durable. 5. Breathing resistance
is lower.
4. Breathing resistance is lower.
6. Vision may be better.

Tight-Fitting PAPR.

Photo courtesy
of NIOSH.

Loose-Fitting PAPR.
Photo courtesy of
Neoterik Health
Technologies Inc.

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