3M P100 2097 Filters
These 3M NIOSH-approved respirator filters are rated at P100, the rating that is the highest for personal respiratory protection. As long as your mask fits properly a P100 filter will block 99.9% of particles .3 microns or larger. Particulate respirators are also known as “air-purifying respirators” because they protect by filtering particles out of the air as you breathe. Since airborne biological agents such as bacteria or viruses are particles, they can be filtered by particulate respirators. Respirators that filter out at least 95% of airborne particles during “worse case” testing using a “most-penetrating” sized particle are given a 95 rating. Those that filter out at least 99% receive a “99” rating. And those that filter at least 99.97% (essentially 100%) receive a “100” rating. Respirators are rated “N,” if they are Not resistant to oil, “R” if somewhat Resistant to oil, and “P” if strongly resistant (oil Proof). Thus, there are nine types of disposable particulate respirators: N-95, N-99, and N-100; R-95, R-99, and R-100; and P-95, P-99, and P-100
NOTE: Fit-testing and the other OSHA-required procedures, such as training of each worker in use, maintenance, and care of the respirator, are absolutely essential to assure that the respirator will provide the wearer with required protection.
NOTE: Fit-testing and the other OSHA-required procedures, such as training of each worker in use, maintenance, and care of the respirator, are absolutely essential to assure that the respirator will provide the wearer with required protection.