Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Content About The 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 type of air filtering device with the ability to filter particles as small as 0.1 microns in diameter. The filter efficiency is also considerably high at about 95 percent. There are instructions concerning wearing the device that the user must follow to ensure maximum protection. For instance, the user must check to ensure that the piece fits well on the face before getting in the area of work.

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.

These devices can be applied in several different settings. Researchers, health practitioners, and animal handlers are among the most common users. Places of application include all work places that have contaminants that can be blocked by the appliance. Some employers may also make it a requirement for employees to wear these safety devices when at the working place. All users are required to attend an annual training and fit test in the United States.

An individual does not have to attend the training physically. There are sites that offer online training to the public. An inspector can be called to conduct a fit test after completing the online training. This type of respirator is meant for one-time usage hence must be disposed properly after removing. Certain jurisdictions consider it an offence to re-use the item.

These devices have certain limitations associated with them that users should be aware of. The use of an N95 respirator for instance does not provide protection against certain substances such as chemicals. Efficiency can also be reduced with the facial hair between the face and the sealing surface on the device. Hazards such as asbestos, silica, and lead cannot be protected against using a respirator of this kind.

At certain concentration levels the device is considered inefficient and cannot be used. For example, the device is useless if the level of concentration of the harmful substance is ten times. Voluntary use is not discouraged even if levels of exposures lie below the lowest limits recommended for wearing the equipment.

Users are discouraged from touching the exterior of the device after leaving contaminated scenes. This is because contaminants stick of the surfaces. Proper hand washing should be done afterwards.




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