A facemask assembly can include an interior air filter that is replaceable and/or contains biocidal elements. The filter can capture exhaled H.sub.2O to activate silver ions creating a biocidal environment. In some embodiments, at least part of the facemask is made via additive manufacturing. A facemask frame assembly can create a pleated filter to increase surface area and bring the filter material closer to the mouth and nose. The facemask can include a facial skirt customized to the facial geometry of the wearer. The facemask can have a permanently sealed filter than can withstand boiling and autoclaving temperatures so the mask system can be sterilized without disassembly. In some embodiments, the facemask has a visible display of how many times the facemask has been sterilized. In some embodiments, the mask includes a RFID device that can transmit how many times the facemask has been sterilized.

A mask and a transparent viewing window module thereof are provided. The transparent viewing window module includes a glass viewing window and an integrally-formed transparent encapsulation layer. The glass viewing window has an inner surface, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface and a peripheral portion defined along an outer contour of the glass viewing window. The integrally-formed transparent encapsulation layer fully and tightly encompasses the peripheral portion and the inner surface of the glass viewing window.

A facemask assembly can include an interior air filter that is replaceable and/or contains biocidal elements. The filter can capture exhaled H.sub.2O to activate silver ions creating a biocidal environment. In some embodiments, at least part of the facemask is made via additive manufacturing. A facemask frame assembly can create a pleated filter to increase surface area and bring the filter material closer to the mouth and nose. The facemask can include a facial skirt customized to the facial geometry of the wearer. The facemask can have a permanently sealed filter than can withstand boiling and autoclaving temperatures so the mask system can be sterilized without disassembly. In some embodiments, the facemask has a visible display of how many times the facemask has been sterilized. In some embodiments, the mask includes a RFID device that can transmit how many times the facemask has been sterilized.

Improved personal protective equipment facial wear including, in one embodiment, an at least partly adhesive mask, and one or more adhesive eye shields. In one implementation, the mask avoids significant contact with the delicate periorbital skin of the wearer, yet provides a substantially airtight seal so as to preclude moisture vapor transfer and fogging of eyeware or instruments. In another implementation, adherence of the eye shield is at least partially overlapping with the mask and creates an at least partial seal around a perimeter of the eye shield. Further, an at least partial seal is formed around a perimeter of the mask. The mask and eye shield additionally prevent nasal air flow obstruction, and address the problem of skin irritation and attachment during normal facial expression and movement of the wearer.

A Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ensemble made up of a launderable protective hood and either an air dispersion protective headgear, or an air dispersion protective face shield assembly, is provided. In a first exemplary embodiment, the PPE ensemble is made up of a launderable hood that is detachably affixed to and forms a gas-restrictive seal with a protective face shield assembly, an air-supplied protective suit having an air supply inlet/outlet assembly, and an air dispersion protective headgear releasably coupled to the air supply inlet/outlet assembly of the protective suit. In a second exemplary embodiment, instead of an air dispersion protective headgear, the PPE ensemble is made up of an air dispersion protective face shield assembly and a standard protective headgear. The PPE ensemble, among other things, maintains or cools the skin temperature of a wearer's face during use and thus reduces wearer fatigue.