What Are the Differences Between Respirators?

This is a very common question considering several manufacturers describe identical products with different descriptions. Following is a comprehensive list of three different types of respirators. Included in the list is an overview of the advantages, disadvantages, limitations, and applications for each type.


Disposable Dust/Particulate Respirators
Description:The majority of disposable dust/particulate respirators are designed to protect the wearer’s lungs from particl e irritants as well as pneumoconiosis, fibrosis-producing dusts, and mists.

Advantages:Disposable dust/particulate respirators are lightweight, disposable, relatively comfortable, and economical.

Limitations:Offer minimal protection due to inferior sealing qualities. Wearers who have facial hair cannot use partic ulate respirators that come between the respirator and skin.

Applications:Welding, soldering and brazing, grinding, sanding, sweeping, bagging, stone quarrying, metal machining, fertilizer production, underground mining, polishing, buffing, glass etching, clay processing, and chemical processing.

Half Face Respirators
Description: Half face respirators consists of a rubber face seal that fits over the nose and under the chin. It is fitted with cartridges that purify the air as the user breathes. Different types of cartridges are available for different types of air contaminants.

Advantages: Half face respirators are relatively lightweight as well as offer good protection from many air contaminants. They offer good protection from many air contaminants and provide high mobility.

Limitations: Protection offered by these masks is not as good as that provided by a full-face respirator nor do they provide eye protection.

Applications: Agriculture, asbestos abatement, chemicals, construction, hazardous materials, mining, nuclear, oil and gas, paper and pulp, sanding and grinding, spray painting, and welding.


Full Face Respirators
Description: Full face respirators work on the same concept as half mask respirators described above. The face piece extends around the entire face covering the eyes, nose, chin, and mouth.

Advantages: Full face respirators provide a better seal and therefore, more protection than half mask respirators. They also protect the eyes and face from irritating vapors, mists, and splashed chemicals.

Limitations: Full face respirators are heavier than half masks and often less comfortable. Those who wear eyeglasses must assure that temple bars do not interfere with the face-to-face piece seal. Full-face respirators cannot be used in oxygen-deficient atmospheres, or in atmospheres that have high concentrations of contaminants.

Applications: Full face respirators are used when a greater degree of respiratory protection is needed or where face and eye protection are preferred. Agriculture, asbestos abatement, chemicals, construction, hazardous materials, mining, nuclear, oil and gas, paper and pulp, sanding and grinding, spray painting, and welding.


Keep in mind that both the half mask and full-face respirators both perform the same basic functions. The only significant difference is the full-face respirator provides coverage for the wearer’s entire face whereas the half mask type does not. Be sure to wear your respirator in hazardous environments and be safe.