The Past & Future of Respiratory Protection
The last two and a half years have taught us how important respiratory protection is.
- By Sydny Shepard
- May 01, 2022
There is a common phrase that gets thrown around from time to time: “It is as easy as breathing.” Breathing can be easy. In fact, it's an instinctual action that raises and lowers our chests, brings oxygen to our lungs and, in turn, helps our hearts pump blood through our bodies. There are times when breathing can be difficult, however. In these occasions, it is not the action of breathing that makes it hard, it is the air being brought in that can create complications.
As discussed in previous issues of this year’s editions of the magazine, we will be looking back into the history of important topics in the occupational health and safety industry. We’ve covered the history of occupational health and safety itself, the evolution of fall protection, the right for workers to know what chemicals they are working with, and now we will discuss the history of respiratory protection.
Earliest Respiratory Research
Researchers and scientists understood from the beginning that breathing was an essential human function. What’s more, they understood how breathing contaminated, dirty or toxic air could irritate their respiratory systems. As far back as 23 AD, Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder used loose animal bladder skins to cover his face to protect from toxic dusts let into the air as a result of crushing down materials used for pigmented decorations. Centuries later, Leonardo da Vinci would raise a water-soaked cloth over his mouth and nose to prevent the inhalation of toxic chemicals from paint and plaster.
Throughout the 17th century, we’d see further scientific discoveries and inventions that would, today, be considered respirators. The advancements would be seen as impressive, but it wasn’t until Bernardo Ramazzini, known as the father of occupational medicine, would describe the importance of respiratory protection as a critical prevention method against the hazards of arsenic, gypsum, tobacco and silica that the need for adequate protections became evident.
The 18th and 19th centuries would see much development in the field of respiratory health. In 1827, Scottish botanist Robert Brown’s theory—the Brownian movement—would show that the collision of rapidly moving gas molecules causes the random bouncing motion of extremely small particles. Once scientists understood the behavior of small particles, they could better set forth their mission to protect against them.
This article originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.