The respiratory protective equipment (RPE) industry is a critical aspect of worker safety across various industries worldwide. From chemical and construction to manufacturing and mining, working in hazardous environments poses significant risks to workers' health, including inhalation of smoke, toxic chemicals, spilling of hazardous chemicals, toxic emissions from waste, and other unusual accidents that can be fatal. The importance of RPEs in these industries cannot be overstated, as they play a vital role in protecting workers from exposure to hazardous substances and particles.
In the United States alone, nearly 41 workers died on the job in 2017 after a single episode of inhaling chemicals and chemical products. This statistic highlights the importance of adopting better and more effective protective equipment to prevent toxic gases and fumes from entering the human body. Respiratory protective equipment is a specific type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is used to protect the individual wearer against the inhalation of hazardous substances in the workplace air. Various governmental organizations cite that RPE must only be used where adequate control of exposure cannot be accomplished by other means.
The respiratory protective equipment industry is currently expanding at an unprecedented pace. This can be backed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the rising cases of mortality due to inhalation of toxic gases. It has been estimated that the global respiratory protective equipment market would surge to $11.05 billion by 2026.
There are umpteen roles that are being performed by RPE in different industries. Industrial workspaces such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and coal mining, among others, are hotspots for major accidents and highest fatalities. This means that the chances of lung damage in these sectors are relatively higher than in others. Silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling tiny bits of silica, is currently one of the major threats to these industries. There are 30 new cases of silicosis worldwide each year. The World Health Organization has announced that of workers in the US who are exposed to silica dust, about 59,000 are susceptible to developing silicosis, with 166 succumbing to death every year.
Considering such dreaded numbers, various government organizations have come up to mandate the use of respirators to protect workers from onsite hazards. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the US has revealed its revised respiratory protection standard 1910.134, which publicizes the need for wearing respirators when exposed to occupation airborne chemicals and contaminated air, fueling the respiratory protective equipment market growth.
Respirators and respiratory protective equipment are not a new thing in the medical and healthcare industry. Healthcare professionals and medical staff have been making use of this equipment to protect themselves from cross-contamination of severe infections. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the perspective of respiratory protective equipment in the sector today.
The healthcare and medical sector is currently witnessing a boom worldwide, majorly driven by the novel coronavirus outbreak. It is essential to mention that owing to the widescale spread of the coronavirus crisis, the respiratory protective equipment industry is now observing a full-scale transformation with the demand for respirators skyrocketing. Fighting an intense battle against coronavirus, masks and respirator PPEs have come out strong as intrinsic need. Respirator PPE are equipment and products such as masks, face shields, breathing apparatus, and more that are generally used to offer robust protection against inhalation of toxic gases, airborne particles, and contaminants. Here, respirator PPEs are slated to have major prominence to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Another industry that is contributing to the growth of the respiratory protective equipment market is the construction industry. Construction workers are at a high risk of exposure to harmful substances such as silica dust, asbestos fibers, and paint fumes. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 2 million construction workers are exposed to crystalline silica, which can cause lung cancer, silicosis, and other respiratory diseases.
To combat this, OSHA requires employers to provide appropriate respiratory protection equipment to their employees. This has led to an increase in demand for respiratory protective equipment in the construction industry, which is expected to continue in the coming years.
In addition to these industries, there is also a growing demand for respiratory protective equipment in the general population. With the rise of air pollution and the increasing occurrence of respiratory diseases, many people are turning to masks and respirators as a means of protection. This has led to a surge in demand for respirators in the consumer market, with many companies offering fashionable and comfortable options for everyday use.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a significant role in the growth of the respiratory protective equipment market. As the virus spreads through respiratory droplets, masks and respirators have become essential in preventing its transmission. This has led to a surge in demand for respiratory protective equipment, with many countries experiencing shortages and price hikes.
To address this issue, many companies have shifted their production to focus on respiratory protective equipment, with some even offering innovative solutions such as reusable masks and air-purifying respirators. Governments have also stepped in to increase production and distribution of respirators to healthcare workers and the general public.
In conclusion, the respiratory protective equipment market is experiencing significant growth due to a variety of factors. The need for protection against workplace hazards, air pollution, and respiratory diseases has led to an increase in demand for respiratory protective equipment in various industries and the general population. The COVID-19 pandemic has further fueled this growth, with masks and respirators becoming essential in preventing the transmission of the virus. As the need for respiratory protective equipment continues to rise, we can expect to see further advancements in technology and increased availability of these life-saving devices.