From personal protection and weatherization to packaging and transportation, Tyvek^® meets your most essential needs — keeping the elements out while letting in the most important thing – clean, breathable air. Tyvek^® personal protection equipment delivers performance that meets or exceeds industry standards for protection against a range of chemical threats and hazards.

If you’re in industries such as Agriculture, Asbestos Removal, Automotive, Construction, Maintenance, Decontamination, Electrical, Utility, and Food Processing, Tyvek^® may be your best personal protection apparel!

What is Tyvek^®?

Tyvek^® is a 100% synthetic material made from high-density spun-bound polyethylene fibers. Lightweight, durable, and breathable, yet resistant to water, abrasion, bacterial penetration, and aging, Tyvek^® is an amazing material used to improve a variety of applications across multiple industries.

Water-Repellent

When the fibers in Tyvek^® are spun and bonded under high heat and pressure, Tyvek^® acts as a thermoplastic — returning to a high-density, semi-solid state that prevents liquids from breaking the surface.

Breathability

Because no binders are used to hold Tyvek^® together, tiny perforations remain, which allow water vapor to permeate the material while preventing water and other liquids from entering, making Tyvek^® highly breathable.

Barrier Protection

Recyclability

How Allegro Can Help You Stay Safe

We offer several Respirator Hoods made from Tyvek^® that are perfect for any of your application or industry needs! From disposable to reusable or supplied air to powered air, we have something for everyone!

PAPRs

PAPR Hood

SARs

Single-Bib Hood

Maintenance Free Hood

Double-Bib Pharmaceutical Maintenance-Free Hood

Double-Bib Maintenance-Free Hood

Deluxe Double-Bib Hard Hat

SAR Systems

Supplied Air Hood Low Pressure

Single-Bib Breathing Air Blower 

Double-Bib Breathing Air Blower

Single-Bib Cold Air

Double-Bib Cold Air

Don’t let hazardous environments jeopardize the safety of your workers! Allegro can help you protect them with our comprehensive line of Tyvek^® respirators and other safety products and personal protective equipment!

Contact us today to create a safe and healthy work environment for your team!

The pandemic forced us to facilitate changes literally on a minute-by-minute basis. As a result, we learned very quickly our best protection lies in how effective our PPE is for our industries and healthcare facilities to provide innovations and life-saving care.

Let’s take a look at two products from Allegro Industries that are gaining traction for the post-pandemic world we will soon be living in.

EZ Air Tyvek PAPR Hood

The Tyvek PAPR Hood is an all-inclusive PPE solution for industrial and healthcare workers alike. The hooded respirator is a complete particulate filtration system where combined eye, respiratory, and facial protection is required.

The lithium-ion battery supply brings constantly filtered air to the wearer’s facial areas, and the APF 25 level applies constant air pressure inside the hood for optimal particulate protection.

This PAPR assembly weighs in at just under 4 lbs. and is ideal for workers in both industrial and healthcare settings.

EZ Air Saran PAPR Hood

This Saran-coated PAPR Hood from Allegro Industries is basically the Tyvek hood with Saran coating on the outside to further enhance the protective abilities of this PAPR Hood.

The same lithium-ion battery-powered air supply and other protective features are identical to the Tyvek PAPR Hood. In addition, this complete PAPR assembly includes a Saran-coated Tyvek^® Hood, breathing tube, blower, battery, waist belt, charger, flow tester, and HEPA filter.

Allegro Industries… Since 1987

Allegro Industries has been supplying distributors and industries with the highest quality Personal Protective Equipment available and will be at the forefront of this industry in the post-pandemic world.

Contact us today to learn more about our PPE solutions, or visit us online to see all our products. As we all move forward in our nation’s industrial and healthcare needs, Allegro Industries is committed to providing the best safety equipment products.

Selecting the Proper Control Method

Use of engineering controls, such as local exhaust ventilation, is always the preferred method of controlling worker exposure to hazardous materials. When this is not feasible, respirators may be used to help protect the workers. All occupational respirator use must follow the OSHA respiratory protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, which includes provisions for selection, training, medical clearance, breathable air, etc. Selection of respirators must be conducted carefully to ensure the respirator selected provides the requisite level of filtration.

The first step in proper respirator selection is knowing which chemicals the worker must be protected against and the airborne concentration of those chemicals. The selected respirator must be able to protect against those chemicals and have an adequate Assigned Protection Factor (APF) for the concentrations noted. Per 29 CFR 1910.134(b),

“APF means the workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator or class of respirators is expected to provide to employees when the employer implements a continuing, effective respiratory protection program as specified by this section.”

The airborne concentration of the chemical divided by the APF must be lower than its OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). Respirators always must be used within their APFs and the regulatory requirements of 1910.134. PAPRs and SARs with hoods, helmets, or full facepieces may have APFs up to 1,000. PAPRs and SARs utilizing loose-fitting facepieces or headcovers (where the respirator is loose and connects with the user’s face along the jaw line) have APRs of 25.

Benefits include:

• Increased comfort. With a PAPR or a SAR, the worker is relieved of the burden of having to be the power source for the respirator. The respirator itself does the work of supplying clean, filtered air to the wearer. The movement of the air supplied by the respirator across the worker’s head and face also may provide a cooling feeling to the worker. SAR units can even be equipped with vortex cooling assemblies that can reduce the temperature of the air supplied to the respirator system by as much as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If a hood with an inner shroud is used, this air can be funneled into the worker’s clothing to provide additional cooling, which can be a significant advantage when impermeable worker protective clothing is worn. Similarly, air heating options are also available.
• Elimination of fit testing. Loose-fitting respirators do not require fit testing per the OSHA respiratory protection standard (134(f)). Dispensing with fit testing saves the money of conducting the actual fit test, as well as minimizing worker time away from the job. Note: PAPRs and SARs with tight-fitting face pieces still require annual fit testing. See Allegro Fit Testing Kits here
• Accommodating facial hair. Respirators utilizing tight-fitting facepieces have strict limitations on facial hair. With loose-fitting PAPR and SAR systems, provided the facial hair does not interfere with the headgear sealing area, a person can have limited facial hair, comply with OSHA regulations, and maintain the protection provided by the respirator.
• Reduced fogging. In some work areas where safety glasses and a faceshield are required, fogging can be both an annoyance and a potential safety issue. PAPR and SAR systems can generate a constant airflow across the headgear visor, which may reduce or eliminate fogging.

Improved Product Design

Allegro has recognized the need to incorporate design elements that help make systems easier to use and enhance the overall appeal of our products. Some of these enhancements include:

• Design, weight, and environmental considerations. A well-designed/-styled system can help promote worker acceptance, which is an important factor in increasing usage. Some recently introduced PAPRs incorporate a sleeker, lighter, more ergonomic design. Some current PAPR designs shield the air inlet, which allows the worker to sit in a chair without blocking off airflow, or allow the PAPR to be worn in a decontamination shower without exposing the filter to direct water spray. Changing to lithium-ion batteries from older nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries can significantly reduce both the size and weight of powered air respirators. In addition, replacement of nickel cadmium batteries also has the environmental advantage of eliminating a toxic, heavy metal (cadmium) from the waste stream.
• User interface systems. Some modern PAPRs can communicate to the worker to warn when the battery pack charge is running low, the particulate filter is clogging, or other malfunction is occurring that may cause the PAPR system to yield insufficient airflow. Some battery packs now come equipped with a charge indicator, where the worker presses a button on the battery to determine the current charge status of the battery pack. This helps ensure the battery pack has sufficient capacity for the duration of the task.
• Adjustable airflow distribution. Worker preference is always an important consideration. A PAPR or SAR system incorporating a hood or helmet that allows the worker to adjust where the air is being distributed within the headgear can help minimize complaints related to issues such as eye irritation, fogging, or a sense there is an insufficient supply of air.

Providing the best safety products for your industry is our priority at Allegro! Contact us to receive more information about our SARs, PAPRs, and similar products that will maximize your workplace safety!

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants is a constant risk in healthcare settings. The virulent nature of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants has amplified that risk tenfold. Never has it been more crucial to intensify or reinforce current respiratory protection protocols.

What Is PAPR

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare practitioners are least familiar with PAPRs, opting for the more common N95 respirator (2020).

PAPR stands for a powered air-purifying respirator. It is a battery-operated device that uses a small, lightweight blower to pass contaminated air through a HEPA filter. PAPRs are durable enough to work in diverse settings and accommodate shields and hoods.

Benefits of PAPR Hoods

• Fit test not required
• Accommodates users with facial hair, glasses, or goggles
• Splash-resistant hood and bib
• Greater filtration efficiency with HEPA filter
• Low breathing resistance (vs. negative pressure of N95 mask)
• Preferred for high-risk aerosol-generating procedures (CDC)
• Assigned Protection Factor of 25 (compared to N95 with APF 10)
• Hood is fully disposable

Complete Particulate Systems Designed to Protect

Allegro Industries offers the EZ Air Tyvek and EZ Saran-coated Tyvek PAPR Hood systems.  Tyvek is a material comprised of tightly-woven polyethylene fibers, creating a unique, flexible surface that repels aerosols and liquids.

Our PAPR Hooded Respirators are lightweight, user-friendly, and protect the respiratory, eye, and facial areas. The Hood systems are tailor-made for healthcare, industrial, and emergency response environments and include the following:

• Hood
• Suspension headgear
• Breathing tube
• HEPA filter (filters 99.97% of particulates larger than 0.3 microns)
• Blower
• Battery
• Charger
• Flow Tester
• and Waist belt

Responding to the safety needs of your industry is our top priority here at Allegro. We are committed to being the best source for safety products and services and look forward to providing all manner of industry professionals with personal protective equipment that exceeds expectations. For more information, please review our EZ AIR PAPR HOOD product specifications or contact a regional sales representative.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Safety Products

During the first two months of the pandemic, hospitals in numerous states became overwhelmed with cases of critically ill COVID-19 patients. There was a huge surge in demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but supply chains were disrupted and stockpiles were quickly depleted. The situation became dire. Medical isolation PPE was in such short supply that healthcare professionals were re-using these single-use items for days or even weeks at a time, putting themselves at increased risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Driven by a common desire to do whatever it would take to supply the necessary PPE to protect frontline workers exposed to this deadly virus, many companies quickly acted to find solutions. Some of the companies had no prior experience supplying PPE while others safety product manufacturers, like Allegro Industries, expanded our product line to help meet the critical need of supplying PPE in record time. We knew this would be a daunting task, but as a trusted name in the safety product industry for over 34 years, we felt it was our responsibility to help and we were up for the challenge.

Allegro’s PPE Options

We offer a wide-ranging line of safety products that many markets, including newly introduced healthcare and dental, can use to help keep their facilities and workers safe:

Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)

• PN 9933 EZ Air Tyvek® Hood PAPR
• PN 9933-S EZ Air Saran Hood PAPR

Respirator Wipes

• PN 1001 Alcohol Respirator Cleaning Pads
• PN 1001-05 Alcohol Respirator Cleaning Pads (The Big Ones)
• PN 1001-20PP Alcohol Respirator Cleaning Wipes Pocket Pak
• PN 1001-20PPD Alcohol Respirator Cleaning Wipes Pocket Pak Dispenser Box
• PN 1001-200PU Alcohol Respirator Cleaning Wipes Pop-Up Pak

Face Protection

• PN 06BG Browguard
• PN 1410 Spray Sock
• PN 1415 Tri-Layer Washable Cloth Mask
• PN 1420 Lightweight Gaiter

Fit Test Kits

• PN 2040 Sweet (Saccharin) Fit Test Kit
• PN 2041 Bitter (Denatonium Benzoate) Fit Test Kit

Respirator Storage

• PN 2000 Large Plastic Storage Bag
• PN 2025 Large Cloth Storage Bag
• PN 4001-05 Large Disposable Plastic Storage Bag
• PN 4001-06 Extra Large Disposable Plastic Storage Bag

Lens Cleaning

• PN 0350 Eyewear Cleaning Wipes
• PN 0350-20PP Eyewear Cleaning Wipes Pocket Pak
• PN 0350-20PPD Eyewear Cleaning Wipes Pocket Pak Dispenser Box
• PN 0350-200PU Eyewear Cleaning Wipes Pop-Up Pak
• PN 0353 Eyewear Cleaning Wipes Canister

To view a complete list of all of our Healthcare and Dental-related products, click here!

Contact us for more information regarding any of our safety products that can help keep you safe!

The Purpose of Fit Testing

Fit testing confirms any respirator’s fit that forms a tight seal on the user’s face before it is used in the workplace. This ensures that users are receiving the expected level of protection by minimizing contaminant leakage into the facepiece. When a respirator does not fit properly, a portion of the air you breathe can bypass the respirator’s filter and enter your breathing airstream through breaks in the seal of the respirator along your face. If this happens, you may be exposed to harmful pathogens in the environment.

When to Fit Test Your Respirators?

All respirators that rely on a mask-to-face seal must be fit tested to validate the seal is air-tight. This fit test must be performed:

• prior to the first issue,
• when there’s a change in the model, style, or size of respirator used,
• when there’s a physical facial change in the person wearing the mask, and
• at least annually

Specific requirements for qualitative fit testing are detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 1910.134 Appendix A – Fit Testing Procedures (Mandatory).

Fit Test Protocols

OSHA recognizes two broad categories of fit testing – Quantitative and Qualitative. Quantitative Fit Testing is the process to measure the precise amount of leakage into any tight-fitting facepieces and is performed by a machine calculating the measurements. Typically, the facepiece is attached to a probe, which is connected to the measuring machine by a hose.

Qualitative Fit Testing is a pass/fail method that relies on the subjective sensory (taste, irritation, smell) response of the respirator wearer to a particular test agent, while the quantitative procedures measure actual face seal leakage.

The following mandatory qualitative fit test protocols from OSHA are recognized, testing agents:

Isoamyl Acetate (Isopentyl Acetate or Banana Oil). 

This qualitative fit test agent uses a person’s response to a fruit-like banana aroma to detect leakage into the respirator. A drawback to this agent is the lack of a strong reaction in some fit test subjects to the banana odor. Another drawback is it can only be used with respirators equipped with organic vapor cartridges.

Sweet (Saccharin).

This qualitative fit test agent uses a person’s response to a sweet taste to detect leakage into the respirator. This agent’s drawback is the lack of a strong reaction in some test subjects to a sweet taste.

Bitter (Denatonium Benzoate).

This qualitative fit test agent uses a person’s response to a bitter taste to detect leakage into the respirator. The advantage this agent has over Isoamyl Acetate and Saccharin is the bitter taste. Few enjoy a strong bitter taste, so an unavoidable response by the test subject is readily noticed.

Irritant Smoke.

This qualitative fit test agent uses a person’s response to the irritating chemicals released in the “smoke” produced by a stannic chloride smoke tube to detect leakage into the respirator. The stannic chloride reacts with humidity producing white smoke with a pungent odor. The drawback to Irritant smoke is that it can be toxic. The smoke contains two compounds: hydrogen chloride (HCl) and tin (Sn). Hydrogen chloride is highly corrosive to human tissue. Inhalation of a relatively low concentration will irritate the upper respiratory tract and eyes. This is why it’s such an effective chemical to use for respiratory fit testing.

Even though these qualitative fit testing agents can be used to fit test both half-mask and full-face respirators, it is important to note that qualitative fit tests only validate an assigned protection (APF) of 10 for half masks. OSHA has established an APF of 50 for full facepiece respirators. Still, to use a full facepiece beyond 10 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL), a quantitative fit test must be performed.

Fit Test Exercises

See our full training video on how to perform a proper fit test.

Before beginning the qualitative fit testing protocol, employees are given a description of the fit test and their responsibilities during the procedure. All four qualitative fit test protocols use these seven 60-second exercises:

1. Normal breathing: standing position without talking.
2. Deep breathing: standing position without talking, breathing slowly and deeply.
3. Turning head side-to-side: standing position, slowly turning head side-to-side, holding at an extreme point, and inhaling.
4. Nodding head up and down: standing position, slowly moving head up and down and inhaling in the up position.
5. Talking: talk aloud slowly and loud enough to be heard clearly; read from a prepared text (Rainbow Passage*, see below).
6. Bending over/jogging in place: bend at the waist as if to touch toes. Jogging in place is substituted for testing done in a shroud that does not permit bending over at the waist.
7. Normal breathing: standing position without talking.

*Rainbow Passage:
When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act as a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colors. These take the shape of a long, round arch with its path high about and its two ends apparently beyond the horizon. There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for something beyond reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

The “rainbow passage” is used as part of the fifth exercise: talking. It’s a short and phonetically-balanced passage that reflects the variety of sounds and mouth movements used in normal, unscripted English speech. Having employees read the passage as part of the fit test ensures that they can carry out normal speech patterns while wearing the respirator.

In addition to the breathing exercises, OSHA standards require specific exercises for the following substances:

Facial Hair and Fit Testing

Facial hair is a common frustration when it comes to fit testing due to the fact that facial hair that lies along the sealing area of a respirator will cause a respirator to leak. The presence of facial hair under the sealing surface can cause up to 1,000 times more leakage compared to clean-shaven individuals. Facial hair that does not lie along the respirator’s sealing area is considered acceptable and will not affect the seal of the respirator to the wearer’s skin.

Alternative options for employees who are unwilling or unable to shave for both the fit test and during respirator use are loose-fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs). This type of respirator uses a battery-powered blower to force air through a particle filter for the wearer to breathe. They can filter particles from the air at efficiencies suitable to be substituted in situations in which an N95 respirator has been recommended. Loose-fitting PAPRs, in which the hood or helmet is designed to form only a partial seal with the wearer’s face, or hoods that seal loosely around the wearer’s neck or shoulders, do not require fit testing. PAPRs also provide the added benefit of being reusable and therefore conserving supplies of N95 respirators. During an infectious disease outbreak such as COVID-19, PAPRs have become an increasingly important option to keep your workers safe as the N95 respirator inventory continues to deplete.

Our selection of PAPRs is suitable for a wide range of applications in a number of different industries. They include:

For more information on any of our products, please contact our customer service department or call us at 800.622.3530 

The complete Allegro EZ AIR PAPR assembly includes your choice of fully disposable Poly-coated Tyvek® Hood or Saran-coated Tyvek® Hood with attached flexible downtube, rugged yet lightweight ABS Blower, NIOSH-APPROVED HEPA Filter, Waist Belt, Flow Tester, Battery, and Charger.

Additionally, Allegro offers a wide variety of other products and accessories that include: EZ AIR Economy and Deluxe SARs, Helmets and Systems, EZ Air Welding PAPRs, Portable Fume Extractors, Knee Pads, Cooling Products, Respiratory Storage options, Respiratory Wipes, Disinfectant Cleaning products, and Lens Care items.

Follow Allegro on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to keep up to date with the latest literature, product updates and introductions, updates in the industry, and videos made available.

Allegro celebrates thirty-three years in the safety business. Founded in 1987, Allegro Industries offers a full line of safety equipment and ergonomic products for the workplace. For more information, please contact customer service or call (800) 622-3530.

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