3M to provide respirators to aid fight against Ebola virus

3M is to provide a donation of personal protection products to help doctors and aid workers who are participating in the fight against the Ebola outbreak in west Africa.

Almost one million of the firm's NIOSH-approved N95 respirators will be distributed via Project HOPE, MAP International and Direct Relief International in Sierra Leone and surrounding areas, which is where the disease is most prevalent.

This initiative from 3Mgives, the company's philanthropic arm, will help to safeguard the health of workers carrying out medical and laboratory procedures involving suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola, a serious and often fatal disease.

Thousands of respirators have already sent by the company last month to Direct Relief International, with manufacturing of the products having been stepped up to help meet this commitment.

Dr Oyebode Taiwo, global medical director at 3M, said: "The recent outbreak of the Ebola virus has proven to be the most deadly in recent history. 3M is dedicated to offering its resources to this worldwide, humanitarian effort."

The firm is enjoying a strong 2014 so far, achieving a record sales total of $8.1 billion (5.02 billion pounds) for the second quarter of the year.