Basic Characteristics of Antipollution Devices and PPE

Abstract

In this chapter, we will talk about antipollution devices and all the aspects around them. We will explain why they exist, first of all. Pollution is a wide matter and we will describe the main pollutants in terms of size, main origin, and possible targets. We will explain which benefits these devices can provide for human health and which goal they can achieve in a sanitary system. Then we will describe which features these devices have. Each type of product has its specific features, and each product is different from another one. We will describe the common characteristics of these products just for being antipollution. We will explain how differently producers and buyers look at them. Our effort exists for users (affected by disease or risking it), so, after this description, we will provide guidelines to help consumers in their choices. We will show classifications and standards about respiratory protective devices. In this context, we will describe standards in work places and how filters and surgical masks are classified for both products and packaging. We will focus on masks. They are important for domestic use, but they lack standards, if we compare them to other devices. We will describe their characteristics and features so we will provide guidelines for consumers. In the end, we will talk about some thoughts and doubts regarding the market of antipollution devices. In this section, we will show how the trade between sellers and buyers works and what lacks it has. We will propose some advices in order to fix these lacks.