Ensure the air that you breathe is pure and not contaminated by dust, dangerous gases or volatile chemicals. Inhalation of poisonous fumes can lead to headaches, nausea, blackouts or even death. In dusty environments, prolonged exposure can lead to permanent lung damage and future disability.

Maintaining air quality can be achieved by the use of respirators. Personal respirators should always be worn in dusty environments or when working with materials that are toxic at high levels. Breathing apparatus should be worn when working in confined areas where exposure to toxic gases or fumes is likely.

Choosing the right respirator

• Always ensure that the respirator completely covers your nose and mouth
• Ensure supplied-air respirators are airtight
• Ensure you can breathe properly
• Do not use damaged, clogged or dirty respirators
• Always check regularly and replace if required

EN 149 – Respiratory Protective Devices. Filtering half-masks to protect against particles

This European standard specifies minimum requirements for filtering half-masks as respiratory protective devices to protect against particles except for escape purposes.

Laboratory and practical performance tests are included for the assessment of compliance with the requirements.

A particle-filtering half-mask covers the nose and mouth and the chin and may have inhalation and/or exhalation valve(s). The half-mask consists entirely or substantially of filter material or comprises a face-piece in which the main filter(s) form an inseparable part of the device.

It is intended to provide adequate sealing on the face of the wearer against the ambient atmosphere, when the skin is dry or moist and when the head is moved.

Air enters the particle-filtering half-mask and passes directly to the nose and mouth area of the face-piece or via an inhalation valve(s) if fitted. The exhaled air flows through the filter material and/or an exhalation valve (if fitted) directly to the ambient atmosphere.

These devices are designed to protect against both solid and liquid aerosols.

Particle-filtering half-masks are classified according to their filtering efficiency and their maximum total inward leakage. There are three classes of device: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.

The protection provided by an FFP2 or FFP3 device includes that provided by the device of lower class or classes.

The standard ensures consistency and minimum requirements are met in the following:

• Materials used in manufacture are able to withstand handling and wear and are resistant to cleaning and disinfecting agents if designed to be used for more than a single shift
• Total inward leakage – parts tested for this include face seal leakage, exhalation leakage (if valve fitted) and filter penetration
• Breathing resistance, field of vision and flammability

Other relevant standards include:

EN 12941 – Powered Respiratory Protective Devices

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