--- title: Respiratory protection at work in the medical and health sector url: "https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/respiratory-protection-applications/healthcare" description: Choose the right breathing protection for work in health and medicine date: 2024-05-21 modified: 2025-06-30 locale: en_GB --- # Respiratory protection at work in the medical and health sector ![Suitable breathing mask in healtcare sector](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/U8sO01XAuKrj7lqnfT6yZdNLPTZBXpUF-pAFytbMu9A/w:375/h:107/fn:Y3NtX0hlYWx0aGNhcmVfQXRlbXNjaHV0em1hc2tlbl8yMjIwYjAwYTM1:t/cb:bf587d968b79505382872781d2430c30f4fd2fbc/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9IZWFsdGhjYXJlX0F0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZW4uanBnPzE3MjI0MjQ1OTA) Respiratory protection for work in health and medicine ======================================================== The following includes further information for choosing the right breathing protection for work in health and medicine. The suggestion made here is only a general recommendation. For a detailed analysis and selection of the correct mask, please refer to our selection guide: [Correct selection](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/choice-of-respirator/) Please do not hesitate to contact your relevant professional association should you have any queries or questions. Allergies, pollen, household dust, animal fur ----------------------------------------------- For pollen or household dust-based allergies or problems with animal fur, and **[protection class FFP2](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp2-masks)** respirator should be worn. You can find product suggestions for this purpose below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ![Suitable breathing mask for allergies](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/RxwkFYboAyGm1MtenjrfN1zYV3dzJjXllAQrgna5iD4/w:345/h:98/fn:Y3NtX01lZGl6aW5fQWxsZXJnaWVuXzlhOTdhZDIyMDI:t/cb:48d368c13842863d46806af6657e47eb6ed20376/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9NZWRpemluX0FsbGVyZ2llbi5qcGc_MTcxNjM2ODQ0OQ) Bacteria, viruses, infections, legionella bacteria ---------------------------------------------------- Always wear a **[protection class FFP3](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp3-masks)** respirator to protect against all forms of bacteria, viruses, infections and legionella bacteria. Only protection class FFP3 offers a secure and reliable filter protection against even the most microscopic viruses and other dangerous bacteria present in the air. You can find product suggestions for this purpose below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ![Suitable respirator mask for viruses](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/vfj_bLCZW-ykj4qkaIDQtuGKjm4ItwmapikXaDcCrdo/w:345/h:98/fn:Y3NtX01lZGl6aW5fVmlyZW5fNTJjYzNjYTc0YQ:t/cb:825035c2b34d5efd327591af1b813bc17d889305/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9NZWRpemluX1ZpcmVuLmpwZz8xNzE2MzY4NDQ5) Smog, dust, air pollution --------------------------- To protect against the effects of smog, fine dust and air pollution, a **[protection class FFP2](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp2-masks)** respirator should be worn. Protection class FFP2 filters offer reliable and safe protection against fine dust particles, particularly particle sizes such as PM 2.5 and the larger PM 10 which are found in fine dust. In accordance with EN 149, protection class FFP2 offers the same level of filter performance in all uvex respirators as those manufactured in accordance with the Chinese standard KN95 and the NIOSH standard N95 in the USA. You can find product suggestions for FFP2 respirators below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ![Suitable breathing mask for smog](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/JQTVwFni6tfqrVlDPvKeAeDKB8T2Mn0kzcT4n-8z9Ek/w:345/h:98/fn:Y3NtX01lZGl6aW5fU21vZ18zM2Y4ZWEyODUy:t/cb:17b26e3cde9071857fa42bcdf19308603236b04c/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9NZWRpemluX1Ntb2cuanBnPzE3MTYzNjg0NDk) Nanoparticles, nanomaterials ------------------------------ In order to protect against nanoparticles and nanomaterials, the statutory accident insurance system in Germany (Deutsche Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung) has issued a general recommendation regarding the use of a protection class **[FFP3 respirator](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp3-masks)**. You can find product suggestions for **[FFP3 respirators](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp3-masks)** below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ![Suitable breathing mask for nanoparticles](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/PwBV3DqL1IHHB30jwcJNAAYFruQ7EMeyUYG6GCd6v7Q/w:345/h:98/fn:Y3NtX01lZGl6aW5fTmFub3BhcnRpa2VsXzAwYWQ3MzFlOTA:t/cb:c8f8621d3f38546d6242350c63b1b356d73129c7/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9NZWRpemluX05hbm9wYXJ0aWtlbC5qcGc_MTcxNjM2ODQ0OQ) Still haven't found the right one for you? -------------------------------------------- Find out more about uvex respiratory protection. ### Buy uvex respiratory protection [ ![uvex respiratory protection](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/zkVWMSxCcl7CsZGP77kGgMWmV9d-5pZ0jJie0JKTL9M/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX3V2ZXgtYXRlbXNjaHV0em1hc2tlbi1zb3J0aW1lbnRfNGQ2ZDk2ZjFhMA:t/cb:f33467aeae540ae90aeeb3d302121feed87404d5/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vQXRlbXNjaHV0ei91dmV4LWF0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZW4tc29ydGltZW50LmpwZz8xNzcxMjQwNTU4) ](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/products/respiratory-protection) [To our products](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/products/respiratory-protection) ### Respiratory protection guide [ ![Download uvex respiratory protection guide](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/-RN886LeSQFojDmrXOsqNisEqVLJAk1Cs9aLBv8YgpQ/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX3V2ZXgtYXRlbXNjaHV0ei1ndWlkZS1oZXJ1bnRlcmxhZGVuXzUzZDcxZmM0Mjc:t/cb:948e1dfcd16f9a173b1bb57489791ef238463c37/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vQXRlbXNjaHV0ei91dmV4LWF0ZW1zY2h1dHotZ3VpZGUtaGVydW50ZXJsYWRlbi5qcGc_MTc3MTI0MTYyMA) ](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/fileadmin/www.uvex-safety.com/Media/catalogues_and_brochures/en/uvex_respiratory_protection_guide_PPE_EN.pdf) [Download (PDF)](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/fileadmin/www.uvex-safety.com/Media/catalogues_and_brochures/en/uvex_respiratory_protection_guide_PPE_EN.pdf?1639493851) ### Respiratory protection: Questions and answers [ ![frequently asked questions about respiratory masks](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/KJP5iacTiwC2LTJXse7fQvqwkM2CzcaTltJaMVjo64U/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX2F0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZW4tZnJhZ2VuLWFudHdvcnRlbi1ibG9nXzczYTczNGUwYjk:t/cb:3fe6ccc4391f93aa009c8649dd85b803f07c4456/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vQXRlbXNjaHV0ei9hdGVtc2NodXR6bWFza2VuLWZyYWdlbi1hbnR3b3J0ZW4tYmxvZy5qcGc_MTc3MTgzODQzNA) ](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/questions-and-answers-of-respiratory-protection/) [To our x-pertblog](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/questions-and-answers-of-respiratory-protection/) ### How do repirators actually work? [ ![uvex safety how do respirators work](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/DV2VTUtVa1zXxQ4Pp_hW4qEjzflJwBYRoK1wHkARnWw/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX25hY2hoYWx0aWdlX0F0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZV9zaWx2LUFpcl9wbGFuZXRfR3JhZmZpdGlfZDE4NzAzNjY5OA:t/cb:3e271daeadb7fd3a5d6efc84563db1ed70f0ed28/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/c:504:504:fp:0.6275:0.43373493975904/rt:force/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9BY3Rpb25iaWxkZXIvbmFjaGhhbHRpZ2VfQXRlbXNjaHV0em1hc2tlX3NpbHYtQWlyX3BsYW5ldF9HcmFmZml0aS5qcGc_MTcyMTA0NzgyMA) ](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/how-do-respirators-actually-work/) [To our x-pertblog](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/how-do-respirators-actually-work/)