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PPE: RESPIRATORY PROTECTION following reuse in clinical practice. Healthcare personnel also performed poorly in assessing the integrity of the seal of their disposable respirators.3 In addition, elastomeric respirators can be safely reused for years and stored so they can provide long-term sustainability. NIOSH-sizing protocols drastically underrepresent women and Asian face shapes and sizes for FFRs. Elastomeric masks come in two sizes to provide a better fit and seal qualities for all face shapes and sizes. Unlike many disposable N95s, some manufacturers offer elastomeric masks in kid’s sizes. Some elastomeric masks have cooler internal temperatures compared to disposable respirators. So, say goodbye to face rash and mask acne. Reusable half masks can eliminate billions of disposable masks from littering our planet. We can reduce landfill waste by millions of pounds annually, incineration costs for mask disposal and carbon emissions by moving away from disposables. Reusable half masks provide the most cost-effective respiratory protection option for the public or employers. The widespread use and adoption of reusable half masks could help reduce workplace transmission and outbreaks while ending the need for future closures and lockdowns. Providing employees with high-grade protection like elastomeric respirators can keep them safe while working near each other and save countless jobs. By putting elastomeric respirators into widespread use around the world, we can stop the transmission of dangerous viruses and prevent future pandemics from occurring. Claudio Dente is the president and co-founder of Dentec Safety Specialists Inc. Dente has been in the occupational health and safety industry for over 40 years and has dedicated his career and business to providing the highest quality safety products and solutions delivering enhanced value and comfort. His expertise and experience in industrial safety and innovated design technologies have solidified him as a leader in this field. He and his wife Judy Dente co-founded Dentec Safety in 2004. What started off as a small family run business has grown quickly, built on the foundation of relationships and accessibility, which Dentec continues to keep at the center of its business model. REFERENCES 1. https://dentecsafety.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Cooper-Health- Case-Study-CAN-min.pdf 2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8202994/ 3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8202994/ 28 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL/MAY 2023 Untitled-51 1 www.ohsonline.com 2/7/22 11:45 AM
