RPE
What is RPE?
A category of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect users from inhaling hazardous substances such as dust, fumes, vapors, gases, or biological agents. RPE is classified into two main types:
Air-Purifying Respirators (APR): Includes disposable respirators (e.g., N95), half-mask and full-face respirators with replaceable filters, and Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR).
Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators (ASR): Includes Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and airline respirators that provide clean air from a compressed source.
Standards for RPE include NIOSH (U.S.), EN 149 (EU), and AS/NZS 1716 (Australia/New Zealand).