Resources for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Respiratory Protection

U.S. Department of Labor

A respirator is an enclosure that covers the nose and mouth or the entire face or head. Respirators can have two general types of fit: (1) tight-fitting—that is, quarter masks, which cover the mouth and nose; and half masks, which cover the face from the hairline to below the chin; and (2) loose-fitting, such as hoods, helmets, blouses, or full suits that cover the head completely.
There are two major classes of respirators: (1) air-purifying to remove contaminants from the air, and (2) atmosphere-supplying to provide clean, breathable air from an uncontaminated source. As a general rule, the latter-type respirator is used for more hazardous exposures.

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