Which PPE level provides the highest respiratory protection and skin and eye protection?

• A. Level B
• B. Level A
• C. Level C
• D. Level D

Answer: (B)

Protecting both respiration and skin/eye exposure in unknown or highly hazardous environments requires the most comprehensive barrier. Level A achieves this by using a fully encapsulating, impermeable suit with a hood, gloves, and boots, paired with a self-contained breathing apparatus or supplied-air respirator. This setup keeps the wearer completely separated from the atmosphere, so vapors, gases, splashes, and skin contact are blocked, providing maximal protection for lungs and skin/eyes. Level B also offers strong respiratory protection with an SCBA, but the suit isn’t fully encapsulating, so there’s a greater chance of skin exposure at openings. Level C uses air-purifying respirators with less protective skin coverage, and Level D provides minimal protection with no respiratory protection. So the highest level for both respiratory and skin/eye protection is the Level A category.