Which statement is true about Level C PPE?

• A. It offers the highest protection; includes positive-pressure SCBA.
• B. It involves no respiratory protection.
• C. It provides lesser respiratory and skin protection and may include full-face or half-mask APR.
• D. It is identical to Level D.

Answer: (C)

Level C PPE is chosen when the contaminant is known and the exposure can be controlled with an air-purifying respirator. The respiratory protection is provided by an air-purifying respirator, which may be a full-face or a half-face mask with appropriate cartridges or filters. Skin protection comes from chemical-resistant clothing, gloves, boots, and eye/face protection, but the overall protection level is not as high as with fully encapsulated suits and self-contained breathing apparatus. In other words, Level C offers protection that is less than Level B (which uses an SCBA) and Level A, and it is not the same as Level D, which provides minimal protection and no respiratory protection beyond basic gear.