FREE Respirator Software from NIOSH

MultiVapor is a computer tool for estimating breakthrough times and service lives of air-purifying respirator cartridges manufactured to remove toxic organic vapors from breathed air. It can also be used for larger filters and for carbon beds of any size prepared for laboratory studies. MultiVapor replaces the program, Breakthrough, which performs the same function for only one organic vapor at all humidities. A breakthrough time is the time following the first and continuous use of a cartridge after which the user of the cartridge could be exposed to a selected concentration of a harmful vapor. This is the consequence of the cartridge being used up. Service life is the breakthrough time with, possibly, a safety factor applied. MultiVapor is intended to help an industrial hygienist or other qualified person to set cartridge change-out schedules. It is not a substitute for regulatory requirements or professional judgments. Users must assume full responsibility for any application of the MultiVapor computer software. No warranties related to the software are expressed or implied by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or its contractors. This software is intended to provide estimates based on the latest scientific information. The accuracies of any such estimates will depend in part on the accuracy and validity of the data entered by the user. Click Here for the software from NIOSH.

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.

Surgical masks are not respirators

Surgical masks and disposable respirators have a similar appearance and both provide a barrier that covers your nose and mouth; however, there is a great deal of difference in the protection they provide.

Respirators

A disposable respirator protects you from breathing particulate hazards including airborne viruses and bacteria. A disposable respirator:

• Protects you from breathing in particulates, including infectious viruses and bacteria


• Seals tightly to your face so that inhaled air is drawn through the filter


• Requires a “fit test” to ensure that it will seal properly to your face


• Has a NIOSH rating printed on the mask (typically “N95”)


• Has two straps – one that fits behind the head, the other behind the neck – and may have an external exhalation valve

Surgical masks

A surgical mask protects others from the airborne droplets you produce. A surgical mask:

• Prevents you from spreading airborne droplets (e.g., spit and mucous) to others around you


• Does not seal tightly to your face, and is not designed to filter particulates from the air you breathe


• May have a moisture barrier to reduce the risk that splashes of body fluids will reach your nose or mouth


• Is used to protect people around you


• Is NOT a respirator An appropriate respirator must be worn when required by a risk assessment.