What type of respirator is most typically used in animal facilities?

• A. N-95 respirator
• B. Class III respirator
• C. BSL-4 respirator
• D. P-90 respirator

Answer: (A)

In animal facilities, workers are most often protecting themselves from dust, dander, and potential aerosols generated during routine tasks like cage cleaning. A disposable N-95 filtering facepiece respirator is the typical choice because it reliably filters at least 95% of airborne particles, is lightweight and comfortable for long wear, and is easy to fit-test and replace. This makes it well-suited for day-to-day activities without the need for bulky equipment.

Higher-protection options exist for special situations, but they’re not as common for routine work: more advanced or fitted systems (like powered or supplied-air respirators used in higher biosafety settings) are designed for greater risk and more cumbersome use. The other terms listed aren’t standard for everyday animal-care tasks, so they don’t fit the typical needs as well as the N-95.