While LPPR is not NIOSH approved, it is tested to the same high standards. LPPR meets the NIOSH requirements for inhalation and exhalation breathing resistance, P100 filtration and exhaust valve leakage specifications for a half mask particulate respirator. Each LPPR filter is tested for initial penetration and resistance. In addition, each LPPR mask goes through an Acceptance Test Procedure to check for leakage, inhalation and exhalation resistance to ensure it is meeting the standards.

Verification testing was performed using Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) particulate aerosol and the filter maintained an efficiency of at least 0.03% at 85 liters/min. Testing procedure and design requirement matches NIOSH 42 CFR Subpart K section 84.181

• Live fire ranges, mechanical breaching, explosive breaching, thermal breaching, air mounted operations, and heliborne operations
• Any activity where irritating or harmful particles may be present in the air

• LPPR filters should be changed prior to each operational use, when they have been exposed to harmful contaminants or when breathing becomes restricted due to a loaded filter.
• The color of the filter media may change from white to yellow, gray, brown, or even black color depending on what it is exposed to. The filter media will continue to prevent particulates penetrating the mask; the primary indicator is when it becomes more difficult to inhale through the mask.

• While CDC does not recommend respirators as the first measure for the public to use to prevent the spread of coronavirus, they do indicate that N95 masks are effective.
  • “An N95 FFR is a type of respirator which removes particles from the air that are breathed through it. These respirators filter out at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) particles. N95 FFRs are capable of filtering out all types of particles, including bacteria and viruses.”
• LPPR is tested to NIOSH P100 standard, which is much higher both in durability (oil proof) and in filtration efficiency (P100 = 99.97% whereas N95 = 95%). That said, LPPR is tested to and passes NIOSH standards, but is not NIOSH approved.
• Since LPPR is a re-usable mask, care must also be taken to clean and sanitize the mask between uses or possible exposures.
• It is also important to protect the eyes as another avenue for exposure to viruses.
• Refer to CDC guidelines for PPE: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirator-use-faq.html