Respirator use and protection from exposure to carbon monoxide.

Investigations of the protective effect afforded by respirators in Baltimore firefighters are presented. The data indicates that the continuous use of respirators offers significant protection from exposure to carbon monoxide but that this protection is not absolute. A surprising finding is that the intermittent use of the face mask offers as little protection to the men as does non-use. These findings emphasize the difficulties in relying upon respiratory personal protective equipment for protection from exposure.