A Short History
of Respiratory Protection

Recognizing the Hazards

In 1649, Dutch anatomist, Isbrand de Diemerbroeck examined the lungs of a stone cutter. He discovered a large quantity of stone and sand which would have obstructed vessels and prevented airflow, and was believed was the cause of the man’s death. This discovery is likely the first documented case of silicosis, and the beginning of an understanding of the damage that airborne hazards can present to respiratory health.

During the 17th century, one of the most recognizable forms of PPE was invented, commonly known as the ‘plague doctor costume’. This completely covered the wearer from head-to-toe with boots, gloves, an ankle length overcoat, a wide brimmed hat, and the classic bird beak nose. The inside of the beak would hold dried flowers, such as lavender, or a vinegar sponge with cloves, natural resins, and spices. It was believed this would help mask the bad smells as well as prevent the doctors from becoming infected.

In 1780, Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier created one of the first documented supplied air systems. This was used for working in deep wells and cesspits. It worked by using a flexible hose, feeding air from a fresh air source above the ground.

This practice of using supplied air was continued by Alexander von Humboldt in 1799. Used to protect Prussian miners, this respirator consisted of a bag that went over the head and was secured around the neck, as air was fed from above the ground to the miners.

Building Our Knowledge

By 1827, botanist Robert Brown founded the theory of the Brownian movement. This was based on the premise that rapidly moving gas molecules caused extremely small particles to randomly bounce. The understanding of this behavior has led to the creation of filter media that can trap small particles, which we use today.

June 12, 1848, marked a huge leap towards the standardization of PPE, with Lewis Haslett gaining the first patent for the Haslett Lung Protector. His filtration system was simple, combining a moistened wool filter, and a one-way clapper valve to filter dust.

During the mid-19^th century, German scientists completed studies to examine the relationship between industrial hazards, such as dust and bacteria, and how these hazards impact respiratory health.

In 1897, the droplet theory of infection was developed by Dr. Carl Georg Friedrich. He believed that microorganisms were expelled in droplets once released from the respiratory tract and that this was how transmission occurred. During the same year, Dr Johann Freiherr von Mikulicz-Radecki created a single layer mask using gauze to prevent transmission, forming the basis of the surgical mask we use today.

The use of chemical warfare weapons in World War 1 - containing chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas, saw the need for mass produced gas masks. These were made with rubber facepieces and charcoal cartridges along with particulate filters that largely reflect the principles and construction of the types of tight-fitting PPE that is used today.

Respirators Today

Over the next 100 years, respiratory protection made huge leaps and bounds, far from the days of using animal bladders. This has been propelled by globalization, economic booms, certification standards, manufacturing technologies, trade unions, regulatory bodies, and medical research. As a result, we now have advanced technology that we are very fortunate to use today. People who work in these hazardous fields can now go to work and know that they’re protected properly. As we look back, we can see how far we’ve come, and we get to look forward to what the future holds for respiratory protection.