3M (St. Paul, Minn.) and Ford have begun shipping more than 10,000 new powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) designed for health care workers battling COVID-19.
The two companies have been working to design and deliver the PAPRs since late March, bringing the new PAPR from idea to product in 40 days. The product is being shipped from Ford’s Vreeland facility near Flat Rock, Mich.
The Ford Limited-Use Public Health Emergency PAPR includes a hood and face shield to cover head and shoulders, and a high-efficiency HEPA filter system to provide a supply of filtered air for up to eight hours on a single battery charge, 3M said in a press release.
“The air blower system––built around fan components found in Ford F-150’s ventilated seats––is powered by a rechargeable, portable battery, helping keep the respirator in constant use by first-line defenders,” 3M stated.
3M will sell and distribute the PAPRs through select 3M-authorized U.S. distributors and provide technical support for health care workers using the new PAPRs. The company expects they will be available for order from distributors within days.
