What is the protection factor associated with a Supplied Air Respirator (PAPR)?

The protection factor associated with a Supplied Air Respirator (PAPR) is 1000. This value represents the level of protection that the PAPR provides in environments with hazardous airborne contaminants, indicating that a worker can be exposed to a concentration of contaminants that is 1000 times higher than the permissible exposure limit (PEL) without experiencing adverse health effects.

PAPRs deliver clean, filtered air to the user through a helmet, hood, or facepiece connected to a blower that draws air through filters. This design allows the wearer to breathe clean air regardless of the ambient air quality, and the high protection factor reflects the effectiveness of these respirators in minimizing inhalation risks.

In contrast, other options represent different levels of protection that are generally associated with various types of respiratory protection. For instance, lower protection factors like 100 or 500 would be associated with other types of respirators that do not provide as robust a level of protection against airborne contaminants as a PAPR does. Understanding these levels is crucial for selecting the appropriate respirator based on the specific hazards present in a work environment.