Jack Rosenfeld- Improving Respirator Masks to Put Fresh Air in Reach

This article and video discuss the importance of having quality respirators for the use of emergency workers. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 were a perfect example of rescue workers who were not prepared for the disaster. The smoke, dust and other pollution in the air caused difficulty to breathe and some peoples respirator masks did not work or did not suffice, resulting in sickness and sometimes death. In the article, Anthony DePalma said the following about masks used during the rescue and cleanup of 9/11, “The masks were so cumbersome and uncomfortable that many yanked them off and left them hanging around their necks”(DePalma). For those reason, new masks are being engineered to make sure nothing of the sort happens again. The article also discusses the future of respirator masks and how the future holds much higher technology that will keep people using the masks safe and out of harms way in case of disaster.

            I found this article to be fascinating. It really blew my mind that older respiratory masks were so uncomfortable that people would rather breathe the ashes and filthy air than wear them. The thing that really got me was that this vital piece of equipment was so overlooked and it may have ended up costing people their lives. The progress on the respirator masks gives hope that the next time a catastrophe is upon the US, or any person for that matter, and they need an oxygen respirator mask, it will be available and effective. 

Source: DePalma, Anthony. "Improving Respirator Masks to Put Fresh Air in Reach." New York Times. N.p., 9 Sept. 2013. Web. 16 Sept. 2013.