 factors to consider when planning to purchase respirators from another country when possible niosh recommends the use of niosh approved reusable elastomeric respirators and powered air purifying respirators paprs as alternatives to filtering facepiece respirators ffrs if a facility needs additional ffrs cdc and the u s food and drug administration fda have determined that other options may be appropriate to protect workers during the pandemic view this cdc page to learn more about factors to consider when planning to purchase respirators from another country 