The new face in respiratory protection

CleanSpace Technology recently unveiled a NIOSH-approved low-profile HEPA filter for the CleanSpace2 PAPR.

We live in a time when likes, views, and shares on social media are almost as valuable as actual currency. So when Australia-based CleanSpace Technology experienced a flurry of social media activity surrounding its CleanSpace2 powered air respirator (PAPR), it knew it had something special on its hands.

Though the company has a global presence in respiratory protection, it’s only been in the U.S. for one year. CEO Alex Birrell said the technology was developed by a team of biomedical engineers after evaluating traditional respiratory protection systems. Their goal was to improve protection for wearers and their employers.

For welders, two types of respiratory protection were available, and neither option was ideal.

The first is a negative-pressure mask, also known as a disposable or reusable respirator. While these types of products tend to be lightweight and portable, Birrell said they also have their drawbacks.

“They get very hot, they’re claustrophobic, and they trap moisture easily, which make them uncomfortable to wear. Protection relies on how well these masks seal the face, so the level of protection they provide is not assured,” Birrell explained.

The second is a traditional belt-mounted PAPR, which uses a motor/fan to push fresh air into the mask via a hose. While these units provide high levels of protection and keep the welder cool, they also tend to be heavy, expensive, and cumbersome, particularly in confined spaces.

“Users who want to do a five- or 10-minute job tend not to wear a belt-mounted PAPR because it’s so bulky and heavy, leaving them unprotected,” Birrell added.

Another drawback to these units is that most welders must shelve their own personal welding helmets in lieu of a specific helmet that accommodates the PAPR, which can result in a significant investment by welders or their employer.

With that in mind, CleanSpace seized the opportunity to create a range of products that combine the best elements of both existing respiratory options. The result is CleanSpace2, a small, lightweight, and portable powered air purifying system that can be worn under a welding helmet without the heft and complex system of hoses and tubes.

The unit is the smallest NIOSH-approved powered respirator in the U.S. market, weighing just 1.2 lbs. Purified air enters the silicone half mask as the user breathes. The motor/fan sits at the back of the neck, eliminating the need for a belt mount, hoses, and special head tops.

The PAPR is lightweight, has a motor that rests on the back of the neck, and can be worn under a user’s existing welding helmet.

“Small is important for personal respiratory protection because when you’re wearing something on your face or head, having a low-profile design delivers superior comfort and mobility. CleanSpace2 respirators can be worn with a welder’s existing protective equipment. Even though CleanSpace is small, it still offers a high-capacity filter and up to 8 hours of operating time,” Birrell said.

When the company released a brief product demonstration video on its Facebook page earlier this year, Birrell said they were overwhelmed by the reaction. To date, the video has generated over 1 million views, 2,600 likes, and 1,300 shares. Birrell attributes the excitement, in part, to welders, both young and old, who are serious about their own personal health and safety on the job.

“We haven’t seen a reaction this strong in any other market. I think there’s something about the U.S. welders who appear really open to innovation that improves their industry. They understand welding fumes are known carcinogens and want to protect themselves when they weld.”

Birrell has noticed that people who see the product for the first time in person or on social media are genuinely curious, either because of the new design appearance or because they are attracted to the light weight and compact features and want to find out how it works.

“There’s an enormous amount of surprise and intrigue because there’s been no innovation in this market for 25 years. At first, the reaction is disbelief. Then when they try it on, there’s a quick transition into love. People genuinely are delighted by how fantastic it feels and performs.”

CleanSpace Technology, 612-8436-4000, www.cleanspacetechnology.com

The company released a brief product demonstration video on its Facebook page earlier this year that generated over 1 million views, 2,600 likes, and 1,300 shares.