NIOSH approval number TC-21C-1374 for respiratory protection.

ANSI Z87+ high impact for visor

MicroClimate warrants that AIR3™, and their component parts will be free from defective materials and workmanship at the time of purchase and will cover the parts listed below for the time periods indicated, provided they are maintained and used in accordance with the product’s User Instructions and/or recommendations. MicroClimate’s only obligation under this Warranty will be, at MicroClimate’s option, to repair or replace without charge any defective parts of the AIR respirator product returned to MicroClimate in accordance with the instructions below and found by MicroClimate to have been defective at the time of purchase or during the warranty period as applicable. This Warranty does not apply to any parts that have been misused, altered or had repair attempted, or have been subjected to abuse, accidental or otherwise. The extended Warranty does not apply to expendable consumables, accessories, or fabric components such as but not limited to: filters/cartridges, shrouds, and visors. Warranty time periods for specified parts: - AIR3 PAPR, excluding consumables: 2000 hours of use or 1 year from date of purchase, whichever occurs sooner.
- Batteries: 250 cycles or 1 year from date of purchase, whichever occurs sooner.
- Battery charger cable and power supply, 1 year from date of purchase.
EXCLUSIONS TO WARRANTY: THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IS IN LIEU OF ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHER WARRANTY OF QUALITY, EXCEPT OF TITLE AND AGAINST PATENT INFRINGEMENT.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Except as provided above, MicroClimate shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage, whether direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential, arising out of sale, use or misuse of MicroClimate products, or the user’s inability to use such products. THE REMEDIES SET FORTH HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE.

Our NIOSH-approved Air3 respirators are specifically designed to provide protection against airborne particulate hazards and aerosols in which the carrier gas is air. This includes solid and liquid particulates such as dust, mists, metal fumes, radioactive particles, and airborne droplets. Air3 respirators also offer effective protection against biological agents, including bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and pollen.

No, Air3 respirators do not provide protection against gases or vapors. They are specifically designed to protect against particulate hazards only. For environments involving gases, vapors, or combined exposures, a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) certified under NIOSH TC-84A or TC-23, equipped with the appropriate cartridges (e.g., OV/P100), should be used.

Air3 respirators should not be used in the following situations:

• Welding operations involving solvent-based materials (exposure to both fumes and vapors)
• Chemical spills that include both particulate and gaseous contaminants
• Spray painting activities (exposure to paint mist and solvent vapors)
• Chlorine gas leaks, such as those in swimming pool maintenance areas
• Use of chemical disinfectants that release harmful vapors
• Emergency response scenarios involving unknown biological threats or aerosol-generating devices.

Yes, Air3 respirators are effective in providing protection against metal fumes, including those produced during stainless steel welding, provided that no vapors are present. If the welding process involves vapors—such as those released from solvents, coatings, or other chemical agents—a respirator certified for mixed hazards must be used to ensure adequate protection.

Yes, Air3 respirators are well-suited for mold remediation tasks where airborne particulates, such as mold spores, are the primary concern. They provide effective protection in environments where the risk is limited to particulate exposure. However, if the remediation process involves the use of chemical disinfectants or biocides that release harmful vapors, a respirator rated for both particulates and vapors should be used instead.

Yes, Air3 respirators are suitable for use in healthcare settings, particularly for protection against airborne infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, influenza, and tuberculosis. As NIOSH-approved Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), they are commonly used as part of personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard healthcare personnel from particulate-based hazards. Air3 respirators are effective in routine patient care, isolation environments, and situations requiring enhanced respiratory protection. However, their use should always align with institutional protocols and applicable regulatory guidelines.

Air3 respirators are not automatically suitable for use during surgeries or procedures involving fluids, such as blood or other bodily fluids. While they provide protection against airborne particulates, they do not meet the requirements for fluid resistance or other necessary features for surgical environments. For procedures involving fluids, it is essential to use Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) that are specifically FDA-cleared as medical devices. These devices meet additional standards, including fluid resistance, to provide adequate protection in high-risk environments.

No, Air3 respirators should not be used in environments with unknown or very high contaminant levels, as these are considered IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) environments. In such situations, the appropriate respiratory protection would be a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) PAPR, both of which are designed for high-risk and oxygen-deficient environments. Air3 respirators and similar PAPRs are not rated for use in these extreme conditions and cannot provide the necessary protection in IDLH environments.

Asbestos exposure involves airborne particulate hazards (microscopic fibers). In some cases, High-Efficiency (HE) PAPRs may be used for protection, provided that the exposure levels are known and within allowable limits. However, it is critical to begin with a formal asbestos risk assessment to determine the appropriate level of protection.

If the concentration of asbestos fibers or exposure limits are unknown—or if the concentration exceeds 0.1 fiber/cc over an 8-hour workday—NIOSH recommends using higher levels of respiratory protection. The following are recommended for such scenarios:

• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
• Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR) in pressure-demand mode
• Equipment with an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of 10,000

These types of respiratory protection are necessary to ensure worker safety in environments with high levels of asbestos exposure or when exposure limits cannot be determined in advance.

Air3 respirators may be used in nuclear facilities, but only for protection against airborne radioactive particulates, such as dust, during routine maintenance, decontamination, or surface cleanup. However, a hazard assessment must always be performed prior to use to ensure the respirator is appropriate for the specific environment. These PAPRs are not suitable for environments involving ionizing radiation (e.g., gamma rays), radiological gases (e.g., iodine-131), or CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) emergencies, where more specialized protection is required.

Generally, no. Non-water-based paints typically contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and always require the use of a TC-23C PAPR, even for brushing or rolling applications. Some water-based paints may also include VOC-containing additives. A strong chemical odor is often a sign of VOC presence.Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for information on the paint’s VOC content, co-solvents, and recommended respiratory protection.A TC-21C PAPR may be acceptable for most water-based paints when brushing or rolling, provided VOC levels are low, as defined by OSHA, and the area is well-ventilated. However, it is not suitable for spray painting, since spraying can aerosolize both water droplets and VOCs or co-solvents, which fall outside the protection scope of 21C PAPRs.

Bump cap. Air3 is not hard hat rated.

MicroClimate’s headquarters are located in the mountains of Utah, where extensive testing of the Air3 respirator has been conducted at high altitudes. However, the Air3 is not recommended for use at altitudes exceeding 5,000 feet, as the low flow alarm may trigger prematurely in such conditions. Additionally, high temperatures, such as those encountered when working around ovens, may also cause the low flow alarm to activate briefly due to the lower air density at elevated temperatures.