Respiratore

Respiratore is an Italian term that can refer to devices related to respiration. In everyday use it may denote protective equipment worn to inhale air free of hazards or to devices that assist breathing in medical contexts.

Respiratori filtranti, commonly known as respiratori or maschere filtranti, are designed to protect the wearer from inhaling particulate matter, aerosols, gases or vapours. They come in half-face and full-face designs and may be elastomeric or disposable. In Europe, such masks are evaluated under EN 149; in the United States, many are certified as NIOSH-approved. Use requires proper sizing, fit-testing, and adherence to use-time and storage guidelines.

Medical use: In clinical settings, the term may also refer to devices that support breathing, most notably ventilators (ventilatori) that deliver breaths to a patient, and non-invasive ventilation devices such as CPAP and BiPAP. These machines are critical for patients with respiratory failure, during anesthesia, or in intensive care. They may provide controlled volumes or pressures and can administer oxygen.

Other considerations: The term spans historical and modern devices, technologies, and safety protocols. When used in occupational health, respirators are selected based on the hazard, required filtration, and environmental conditions, and they are subject to regulatory standards and user training.