However, when it comes to powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), apart from being elastomeric, they offer better protection by design, as the pressure inside the breathing zone is positive, and they are also more comfortable to breathe.
Research shows that the NAPRs market size was over USD 9.5 billion in 2022, compared with USD 2.4 billion for PAPRs. Assuming an average NAPR is USD 50, and an average PAPR is USD 1000, which is roughly about right, this suggests a ratio of 79:1, meaning for 79 NAPR users, there is only one PAPR user. So there is more room for PAPRs to grow.
However, most PAPRs are much more expensive than NAPRs, and they are also bulky, heavy, and troublesome to use and maintain, and these are the key inhibitors of their adoption. Therefore, it is easy to comprehend that there are more users of NAPRs than PAPRs.
To allow widespread workers to be able to take advantage of the improved protection from PAPR technology, Aimwell designed and manufactures the AYO WX HFM P-Boost Dual-Fiting Half-Face Mask PAPR System and AYO WX FFM-LF Loose-Fitting Full-Face Mask PAPR System, and we believe it can not only significantly enhance respiratory protection, but can also cost less within 12 months of use compared with typical NAPRs when doing daily dusty work, such as stonework.
Here is our case study:
Target NAPR: 3M 6200 with 2135 P2/P3 particular filter.
Comparing PAPR: AYO WX HFM P-Boost Dual-Fitting Half-Face Mask PAPR System with pleated pre-filter and PAPR P3 HEPA filter.
Target application: Stonework
Estimated Filter replacement:
- 3M 2135 P2/P3 filter: every 5 days
- AYO WX Pleated pre-filter: every 2 days.
- AYO WX Main filter: every 20 days.
Result:
| Product | Initial Cost (RRP) (AUD) | Fit Test Cost (AUD) | Days to Replace | 12 Months Filter Cost (AUD) | 12 Months Total Cost (AUD) |
| 3M 6200 Mask | $45.00 | ||||
| 3M 2135 P2/P3 Particulate filter (pair) | $25.00 | 5 | $1,175.00 | ||
| 3M 6200/2135 System | $70.00 | $100.00 | $1,345.00 | ||
| AYO™ WX P3 Main Filter | $26.4 | 60 | $79.30 | ||
| AYO™ WX Pleated Pre-filter | $3.10 | 2 | $371.30 | ||
| AYO™ WX HFM P-Boost | $738.60 | $1,189.20 |
Analysis:
- At initial purchase, the 3M 6200/2135 system costs $70 versus $738.6 of AYO WX HFM P-Boost.
- Due to the design of 3M 2135 particle filter, there is no pre-filter that can be replaced cheaply. As a result, every 5 working days, the whole pair of filters needs to be replaced.
- On the contrary, AYO WX HFM P-Boost PAPR has a unique low-cost pleated pre-filter that can capture larger particles with reasonable dust-loading capacity and protect the HEPA filter. As a result, the HEPA filter can last longer, normally at least 60 days, while the pleated prefilter can be changed often, such as every 2 days at a very low cost.
- At 12 months of use, the total cost of use for AYO WX HFM P-Boost PAPR is $1,189.2 versus $1,345.0 for the 3M 6200/2135 system.
Other Considerations
- AYO WX HFM P-Boost has much higher protection than the 3M 6200/2135 system: at least 40 times better for a clean-shaven and well-fitted user.
- The above cost comparison is based on the RRP for one AYO WX HFM P-Boost Half-face Mask PAPR System. For large organisations with higher order quantities, the unit price will be lower than the RRP, thus the ‘breakeven’ time will be shorter accordingly.
- Being a PAPR, AYO WX HFM P-Boost PAPR is more comfortable to breathe, especially for long working hours.
- Being a certified Dual-Fitting PAPR, AYO WX HFM P-Boost is compatible with facial hairs, allowing some leak while still achieving excellent (TH3) protection; no fit testing is needed. Compared with a NAPR, the protection of 3M 6200/2135 is highly sensitive to facial leaks, and the users shall be clean-shaven and fit tested. Often, regular fit testing costs significant time and money for an organisation, adding to the actual cost.
- With patented around-neck technology, AYO WX HFM P-Boost PAPR achieves a great wearability similar to common NAPRs. This is dramatically different from most common PAPRs, which are bulky and heavy, with poor mobility.
For daily work in highly dusty environments, AYO WX HFM P-Boost Half-Face Mask PAPR System can not only provide better and more reliable protection than a typical NAPR but also costs less after using for 1 year, in addition to being more comfortable to breathe, making AYO WX HFM P-Boost PAPR a perfect upgrade from common NAPRs for many industrial respiratory protection applications.