Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is a particular type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), used to protect the individual wearer against the inhalation of hazardous substances in the workplace air.

Protects workers exposed to a concentration of an airborne contaminant that would occur if the employee were not using respiratory protection.

These contaminants include: Dust, Gases/fumes, vapor, mist, smoke among others

Effects of respiratory hazards:Airway irritation, cancer, suffocation, headaches, death etc.