Specialist and tactical responders can now take advantage of Avon Protection Systems , Inc.’s new C420 powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) system. The C420 blower unit used with the company’s most advanced face masks recently received National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) approval.

“Avon Protection Systems is renowned for providing the best facepieces in the market and the NIOSH certification further enhances our product offering to specialist and tactical CBRN responders by enabling us to offer a more complete protection system,” explains James Wilcox, commercial business development manager for Avon Protection.

The C420 PAPR is now approved for use with both Avon Protection’s CBRN FM12 mask and the company’s latest generation C50 mask combined with the CBRNF12B canister. All can be effectively decontaminated for re-usability.

The C420 PAPR is the blower of choice for current and next-generation military and law enforcement CBRN protective products. It is a powerful, efficient, comfortable and lightweight system, filtering CBRN and other contaminants from ambient air, while providing a constant, filtered airflow greater than 115 lpm to the user’s facepiece.

This positive pressure in the mask reduces the physical burden of inhalation resistance and delivers a far higher performance than negative pressure respirators. The fanning effect of the filtered airflow increases user comfort, thereby allowing extended use for difficult operations, such as urban search and rescue. Additionally, optional battery packs can be replaced during use in a warm zone environment to ensure maximum operational effectiveness.