Colonial Auto Parts and A.P.M. Limited in Canada donated their combined inventory of 3M respirator masks to local health care authorities, the companies announced.

The companies donated the masks after getting confirmation from 3M that their supply of masks for use in automotive and body repair shops was also appropriate COVID-19 personal protection equipment (PPE). Colonial Auto Parts and A.P.M. have locations in  Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

With the help of Gerry Stead, 3M safety specialist in the Personal Safety Division for Newfoundland and Labrador, the auto parts distributor reached out to the provincial health departments to offer assistance.

“Upon learning that each province is in desperate need of half-face and full-face respiratory masks, we were humbled to be able to donate our entire inventory to protect those in the communities we serve,” said Douglas Squires, president of Colonial Auto Parts and A.P.M. Limited. 

According to Jean Kent, senior director of Supply Chain Operations for the Nova Scotia Health Authority, “These respirators are much more comfortable for breathing in for prolonged periods of time and have been specifically requested by our ER doctors. Your generous offer of respirators will go to good use helping staff such as emergency physicians, who have to work long days wearing an N95 device all day long. We are having a hard time getting them, so I am beyond grateful for this generous offer of support for Healthcare workers.”

Ann Dolan, executive director of strategic procurement for Service New Brunswick, and Fraser Fry, regional manager biomedical engineering for Newfoundland Eastern Health, shared similar sentiments of appreciation.

Collectively, the 20 Colonial Auto Parts and A.P.M. Limited branches donated 111 3M half-face and full-face reusable respirator masks and 1,580 N95 disposable masks in total to the heath care front lines in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The critically needed PPE donation by province is as follows:

• NL – 38 half and full reusable masks, 350 N95 disposable masks
• NS – 43 half and full reusable masks, 330 N95 disposable masks
• NB – 30 half and full reusable masks, 900 N95 disposable masks

“Supplies of PPE are dangerously low, and we encourage all aftermarket suppliers as well as other industries such as mining, welding and automotive repair to check for items they might not initially think are useful in medical settings,” Squires said. “Most N95 masks, cartridge replacement filters, cleaners and other PPE related materials are suitable, and much needed in the battle to slow the spread of COVID-19.”