Final answer:
Respiratory equipment must be protected from contamination, temperature changes, and ultraviolet light during storage to maintain its integrity and sterility for safe use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that respiratory equipment must be protected from during storage are contamination, temperature changes, and ultraviolet light. These factors can significantly affect the integrity and performance of the equipment. Contamination can occur from microorganisms and other hazardous substances, which can compromise the sterility of the equipment.
Temperature changes can affect the materials of construction, potentially degrading them or altering their properties. Ultraviolet light (UV light) can also damage materials and degrade the quality of the equipment, potentially rendering it unsafe or ineffective for use.
For example, UV light has the energy to break bonds at the cellular level which can be used for surface sterilization. However, storage conditions should protect equipment from continuous UV exposure to prevent material damage. Additionally, methods like filtration remove bacteria and other microorganisms without killing them, which emphasizes the importance of preventing recontamination during storage.