Elastomeric respirators, also called reusable air-purifying respirators,[1] seal to the face with elastomeric material, which may be a natural or synthetic rubber. They are generally reusable. Full-face versions of elastomeric respirators seal better and protect the eyes.[2]
Elastomeric respirators consist of a reusable mask that seals to the face, with exchangeable filters.[3][4] Elastomeric respirators can be used with chemical cartridge filters that remove gases, mechanical filters that retain particulate matter, or both.[5] As particulate filters, they are comparable[3] (or, due to the quality and error-tolerance of the elastomeric seal, possibly superior[5]) to filtering facepiece respirators such as N95 respirators and FFP masks.[3]
Elastomeric air-purifying respirators are designed to be safely reused for years. Provided the cartridge integrity and filter have not been compromised, current practice shows that the filters could be used for at least one year.[6] Some, but not all, filter materials are proprietary and manufacturer-specific,[7] and supply-chain failures can make replacements hard to find.[2][7]
Although powered air-purifying respirators and air-supplying respirators may have elastomeric masks, they are not generally referred to as elastomeric respirators.[3][4]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
gallerywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
elastomericwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d Bach, Michael (6 July 2017). "Understanding respiratory protection options in Healthcare: The Overlooked Elastomeric". NIOSH Science Blog. CDC.
- ^ a b "Respirator Trusted-Source Information: What are they?". U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 2018-01-29. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
- ^ a b Liverman CT, Yost OC, Rogers BM, et al., eds. (2018-12-06). "Elastomeric Respirators". Reusable Elastomeric Respirators in Health Care: Considerations for Routine and Surge Use. National Academies Press.
- ^ CDC (2020-02-11). "Healthcare Workers". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
- ^ a b Alan (22 June 2020). "Open-Source N95 Respirator Mask in the Works". Science and Enterprise.
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