Exhalation valves on FFP3 respirators and the air exiting powered hoods (known as powered air purifying respirators – PAPRs), do not filter exhaled breath.
This alert asks providers to revise procedures, purchasing processes, stock supply, checklists, and stock labelling around the use of these respirators to ensure they are not used during surgical and invasive procedures except in very specific circumstances set out in infection control guidance linked in the Alert.