Thursday, 7 August 2014

Information To Know About N95 Respirators

By Annabelle Holman


Respirators refer to devices designed and used for protection against inhalation of harmful air or airborne particles such as fumes, dust, gasses, and vapors. N95 respirators are one of the many varieties of respirators on the market. They are meant for general use. They can be used by the public, health workers, industrial workers, or in workplaces that require workers to protect themselves against harmful substances and gasses. There are other brands that are more suited for use by military personnel and other heavy users.

N95 respirator is a disposable air filtering appliance that can filter particles with diameters as tiny as 0.1 microns. They have a considerably high filter efficiency of around 95 percent. For maximum protection, the user must follow the instructions on how to wear the product. For instance, before one gets into the work area, they must confirm that the piece is well fitted on the face and is air proof along the sealing surface.

The dressing procedures and all seal checks needed are normally specified by the manufacturer in the manual the product comes with. Since manufacturers make these products differently, one should not assume that donning or seal checks are the same. It is important to read the manual to be sure. Such assumptions may result in exposures to dangerous materials against which protection is being sort. Replacements should be done to any article one has trough breathing through because of damages or soiling.

There are many different settings in which these devices can be employed. Animal handlers, researchers, and health practitioners are some of the users. All work places with contaminants capable of being blocked using the devices are the major places of application. Employers may also demand wearing of this safety gear by their employees. In such as case, the workers have to go for the fit test and training program held annually in the United States.

These days, attending the training physically is not mandatory. There are sites that offer online training to members of the public. After finishing the training online, an inspector may be phoned to conduct the fit test. N95 respirator is intended to be worn only once and then it must be disposed in the right place. Re-using the gear may be an crime under certain jurisdictions.

Certain limitations are associated with these devices and users should know about them. One of the limitations is that they do not provide protection against chemicals. The efficiency of the device is sometimes reduced by facial hair. The hair prevents the sealing surface from forming a tight seal. Protection against certain hazards like silica, lead, and asbestos is not possible.

There are also certain concentration levels beyond which the device should not be used. For example, if the infectious substance has a concentration ten times the specified limit, the equipment cannot be of any use. In cases where exposures do not exceed the lowest limit for which the equipment must be worn, the employee may decide to wear it voluntarily.

Touching the outside of the appliance after being in a contaminated area is discouraged. This is because the surface of the device is considered to be contaminated. Hands should also be washed well afterwards.




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