Why Should You Use Powered Air Purifying Respirators

Powered air purifying respirators come in many types, models and sizes and used in many occupational settings. There are three common types of respirators used in healthcare settings. These respirators include PAPRs, surgical N95 FFRs and N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). Some healthcare professionals are not much familiar with PAPRs. This type of air-purifying uses a blower. This blower forces air through filter cartridges or canisters. Air is then filtered into the breathing zone. An airflow is created inside a helmet, loose-fitting hood or tight-fitting facepiece. This provides a higher APF (assigned protection factor) than N95 FFRs.


A powered air-purifying respirator provides protection in procedures in which the healthcare professional is exposed to a high risk of aerosolized pathogens. These pathogens can cause acute respiratory infections. This personal protective equipment has a helmet, loose-fitting facepiece, or tight-fitting half or full facepiece.


Powered air-purifying respirators reduce the aerosol concentration to 1/25th of that in the air. FFRs reduce the aerosol concentration to 1/10th. However, if you are considering these respirators for your hospital, make sure that the performance and protection of the respirators are demonstrated through testing. It is not advised to purchase respirators when the manufacturer fails to present such evidence. When you are using powered air purifying respirators correctly, the protection against infection transmission is high as compared to other options.


There are different approved PAPR designs. Different designs have different:

• Blower styles
• Battery types (Nickel-Metal hydride, Lithium ion, Nickel Cadmium)
• Filters

The efficiency of high-efficiency filters against 0.3 micron particles is 99.97%. You can easily adjust the airflows of a powered air purifying respirator for added comfort. These adjustments also provide different cartridge protections. You can customize the protections as per the requirements in your healthcare settings.


Following are the advantages of loose-fitting PAPRs over tight-fitting non-powered air-purifying respirators:

• A loose-fitting PAPR does not require a fit test.
• You can wear Powered air purifying respirators with loose-fitting headgear with a limited amount of facial hair.
• You can find some models offering cartridges for gas/vapour and/or particulate protection.
• PAPRs with helmet or Hooded PAPRs provide you with limited to significant splash protection.
• The APF (Assigned Protection Factors) of PAPR systems is at least 25.
• PAPRs with disposable, loose fitting headgear allows the patients to see the face of the healthcare provider. This helps in building interpersonal communication.
• You can clean and disinfect most components of your powered air purifying respirators. You can even re-use and share these components.
• PAPRs with high efficiency filters offer great filtration efficiency against pathogen particles.

PAPRs are better than most of the other options in most aspects. Still, a healthcare facility should assess the limitations of using PAPRs. Following are the limitations and factors associated with the use of powered air purifying respirators:

• The downward vertical field of view is limited, which may interfere with the visual field of the healthcare professional.
• The blower noise may reduce your ability to hear.
• It may limit your ability to use a stethoscope.
• You have to recharge or replace PAPR batteries.
• You need significant storage space for your powered air purifying respirators.
• You need to train your staff to properly disinfect, clean and maintain your powered air purifying respirators.