Powered Air-Purifying Respirators

Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) work similarly to air-purifying respirators in that they filter contaminants from the air through a filter or cartridge. The difference is, however, that PAPRs use a portable, battery-powered air pump to draw air through the filtering medium, creating positive air pressure compared to the ambient air outside. This makes it easier to breathe and provides significantly more protection.

Powered air-purifying respirators are available with half-mask or full facepiece inlet coverings, or with loose-fitting facepieces, helmets, or hoods, as follows:

• Powered airpurifying respirators with half mask inlet coverings can protect against lead concentrations of up to 2,500 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air.
• Full facepiece inlet coverings can protect against 50,000 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air.
• Hoods and helmets can sometimes provide the same protection as full facepiece inlet coverings, but they must be individually tested and proven to do so. Otherwise they will be considered to provide the same protection as loose-fitting facepieces, or 1,250 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air.
• Loose-fitting facepieces can accommodate facial hair and other obstructions but provide less protection, rated for up to 1,250 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air. This is still enough protection to cover level 2 trigger tasks, such as rivet busting or cleaning up after abrasive activities, while initial exposure assessments are being made.

Please note that since APRs and PAPRs take in air from the environment, they should never be used in oxygen-deficient environments!

To learn more about Construction Lead Exposure visit our Cal/OSHA Construction Lead Exposure Online Training web page.