Powered Air Purifying Respirator

Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) can be useful and necessary in many types of health care work environments. In a recent NETEC webinar, “PPE from A to Z: PAPRs for Respiratory Protection,” health care workers learned about multiple types of PAPR systems, including their use and maintenance, as well as how they fit into a health care respiratory protection program.

In head protection to delivering filtered air, PAPRs can help protect against various occupational hazards such as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) hazards. PAPRs are often used by first responders and other emergency workers during natural disasters, mass casualties events, or acts of terrorism.

A PAPR system consists of half or full facepiece, breathing tube and battery-operated blower with particulate filters. Air is drawn through the blower, passing it through a HEPA filter that removes airborne contaminants and then delivers clean filtered air to the wearer through a mouthpiece or nosepiece.

How to Choose the Right Head Protection for Work and Sports

While PAPRs have advantages over N95s in terms of protection and comfort, it is important to remember that they are not substitutes for proper PPE. The risk of infection remains high during procedures in which healthcare workers come into contact with blood, saliva or other potentially infectious materials. Using appropriate PPE and adhering to protocol for doffing, donning and re-donning, cleaning and disinfecting can greatly mitigate the risk of infection.

Another important consideration is that PAPRs that require loose-fitting headgear may not need to be quantitatively fit tested, which can save time and resources in busy emergency response environments. However, it is crucial to maintain the PAPR system properly and ensure that it continues to meet ISO performance standards and the requirements of the applicable CDC guidance or standard for CBRN hazards.…