Respirators

• Respirators are specially designed to protect against small sized particles and particulates such as dusts, smokes, mists, organic vapors, harmful toxic gases, etc.
• Depending upon their efficiency to filter these particles and particulates these half face masks are further classified into three filtration effectiveness classes such as:-
  

P1 – Filters about 80% of particles smaller than 2 micrometers
P2 – Filters about 94% of particles smaller than 0,5 micrometer
P3 – Filters about 99,95% of particles smaller than 0,5 micrometer

P1 Filters

Hazard Types

• Mechanically generated particles
• Chrysotile
• Silica dust

Things to consider when selecting

• P1 particulate filter will only provide protection against these hazards that are listed above and not against anything more that these.
• Also, the filtering efficiency of these P1 filters is less than 90%.

 P2 (White) Filters

Hazard Types

• Solid and liquid particles that do not contain oil.
• Non-toxic household cleaners and disinfectants.
• Non-toxic dusts from sanding, grinding, sawing and insulating particles.

 Things to consider when selecting

• P2 particulate filter – Mechanically and thermally generated particulates.
• Also, the filter efficiency of these P2 filters is only 90%-95%.

P3 (Pink) Filters

Hazard Types

• Solid and liquid particles, including those containing oil.
• Dusts, mists, and fumes from sanding, grinding, cutting, drilling metal.
• Mist droplets from spraying.
• Organic Vapours and Gases.

Things to consider when selecting

• P3 particulate filter – All particulates including highly toxic materials.
• P3 filters separates 99.95% of airborne particles.
• P3 has also an organic vapor relief.

Cautions and Limitations

• These filters should not be used in the atmosphere that has oxygen level below 19.5%.

• Do not exceed maximum use concentrations established by regulatory standards.

• Always seal tight the respirator when in use. Please check for the leakage if any and fix it before you start your work.

• Filters should be replaced after 40 hours of work or when breathing get tough.