Using an Air-Purifying Respirator (APR)

Air purifying respirators purify the surrounding air and prevent inhalation of airborne dusts or chemicals through disposable cartridges.


Risks Addressed:

Airborne toxic dusts, mists, vapors, mists, and fumes, including airborne engineered nanomaterials. Air purifying respirators filter but do not provide breathing air and are not reliably effective against most gases, especially carbon monoxide.


How Risks are Reduced:

Air purifying respirators form a tight seal around the face.  Solid contaminants are removed by the filters, including, for example, airborne nanoparticles generated from activities on nano-enabled construction products.  Vapors are removed by packing material inside the cartridge that physically or chemically causes the contaminant to adhere to the filtering media. 

Availability

Respirators are available at local safety supply stores and online. Please visit our related solutions below for the appropriate APF level.