How must respirators be stored to ensure their effectiveness?

Respirators must be stored in a manner that protects them from damage and contamination to ensure their effectiveness. Proper storage is crucial because respirators can be exposed to various environmental factors that may compromise their integrity or functionality. Storing them in a location that shields them from dust, moisture, chemicals, and other potential contaminants is essential to maintaining their performance and ensuring they provide the intended level of protection.

For example, if a respirator is left in an open area where it can accumulate dust or is exposed to chemical vapors, its sealing surfaces or filters could become compromised, leading to a reduction in the protection it offers when worn. Thus, storing respirators appropriately helps ensure they remain ready for use whenever necessary, maximizing the safety of the user.

While other options may touch upon elements of proper storage, such as maintaining environmental conditions or personal storage practices, they do not encompass the comprehensive need to protect respirators from all forms of damage and contamination that could impact their effectiveness in a safety-critical situation.