Respirators and their use

Respirators are light means of protecting the respiratory system from dust, harmful gases, aerosols of organic and inorganic substances and are used in engineering, mining, for military purposes, in medicine and other fields of activity.

Filtering respirators pass air from the outside environment to the respiratory system through filters; self-contained respirators use a self-contained air supply. According to their design, respirators are classified into two types — in the first type, the filter is built into the mask itself, in the second type, it is in a special cartridge.

Filtering respirators are manufactured as anti-aerosol, gas masks, combination; by types of front parts: quarter-, half-, full-face, hoods, helmets.

Filter respirators of the "Petal" type (ШБ-1) protect against harmful dust and aerosols and are produced in three types: "Petal-5", "Petal-40", "Petal-200" (according to the aerosol concentration). The filters are made of electrostatically charged fibers. Respirators are for single use. They also protect against airborne bacteria.

Respirators of type P -2 consist of two breathing valves — for inhalation and exhalation; the filters are made of gauze and foam rubber, protect against radioactive dust.

RPA-1 respirators with two plastic cartridges protect against concentrated aerosols and dust (more than 500 mg / m3). The filters in the cartridges are replaceable.

Respirators of the ZM-9925 type are used for welding. Filters remove welding fumes and aerosols from inhaled air.

RPG-67 gas filtering respirators protect the respiratory system from harmful vapors, gases with a concentration no more than 15 times the maximum permissible. The kit may contain several cartridges — from organic substances, from ammonia, sulfur hydride, from acid fumes.

RU-60m respirators are also used against harmful vapors and aerosols (except hydrocyanic acid and other highly toxic chemicals). The cartridges are the same as in the previous respirator, additionally — from mercury vapor.

The use of respirators is mandatory in accordance with safety requirements in conditions of increased air pollution. Respirators allow you to avoid difficult-to-treat occupational diseases of the respiratory tract.