There are many applications for respirators that also purify the air at the same time. Firefighters, the military, and even other industries require this kind of protection for their personnel in various environments for a variety of different locations. These kinds of respirators can be used in environments where an unsafe level of contaminants are detected and can possibly inhibit respiration. By forcing air through a built in cartridge filter in the air-purifying respirators, the process of respiration is facilitated and the toxic contaminants removed. They can also be used in industrial environments where one would be in constant contact with contaminants and can be used as an extra measure of protection. When buying a respirator, make sure that you have determined the type that you actually need, as well as the kind of exposure that you expect to encounter once you put them on.

Some air-purifying respirators come in full face masks that have face pieces that cover the entire face and contain cartridges that purify the air during breathing. Any toxic dusts end up getting filtered in the cartridge, removing low levels of pesticide vapors or mists, asbestos and silica, low levels of mineral acid gas or mist, metallic mercury vapors as well as organic vapors. This kind of respirator works best in oxygen deficient environments that can also possibly contain a high level of contaminants. A half mask also provides the same kind of filtration but does not have protection that shields the rest of the face and eyes. There are also powered versions that assist breathing by featuring a fan that blows the air toward the wearer's nose to facilitate efficient respiration and avoid negative pressure. Different kinds of respirators work in different ways, offering different levels of protection, depending on the situation that you will be using them in.

Your line of work will generally determine the kind of air-purifying respirators that you will be purchasing. There are disposable single use respirators that are used to filter out dust, offering minimal protection and filtration of mist, dust, or pollen. For hospital workers, painters, and famers, more protection is necessary and particulate air-purifying respirators will do the job quite well as it utilizes three different types of cartridges to effectively filter out unwanted particles. Purifying masks that feature rubber seal have better protection as they effectively seal off the nose and chin. However in low oxygen environments, a full face mask is much better. This filters the air that you breathe but also lends additional protection to the eyes that can become irritated from vapors and chemicals. This kind of mask can pose a problem for those who wear glasses, so a good fit is essential for effective filtration and protection.