Respirators

Respirators protect the user in two basic ways. The first is by the removal of contaminants from the air. Respirators of this type include particulate respirators, which filter out airborne particles; and "gas masks” which filter out chemicals and gases. Other respirators protect by supplying clean respirable air from another source. Respirators that fall into this category include airline respirators, which use compressed air from a remote source; and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which include their own air supply.

Respirators should only be used as a "last line of defense" when engineering control systems are not feasible. Engineering control systems, such as adequate ventilation or scrubbing of contaminants should be used to negate the need for respirators.

NIOSH issues recommendations for respirator use. Industrial type approvals are in accordance to the NIOSH federal respiratory regulations 42 CFR Part 84. Development of respirator standards are in concert with various partners from government and industry.

 

Selections

Occupational Health Issues Associated with H1N1 Virus - Updated 10/14/09
CDC revises Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel.

Questions & Answers Regarding Respiratory Protection for Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza among Healthcare Personnel - Updated 10/14/2009

2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus - Swine Influenza (Flu)
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is coordinating with other parts of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address national health needs associated with preventing the spread of swine flu and providing information to workers and employers. NIOSH provides technical guidance for workers, including health-care and transportation workers, for whom job-related questions about exposure or infection may be an occupational concern.

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-149
Exposure limits, Respirator Recommendations, First Aid, more...
The Pocket Guide is a source of general industrial hygiene information on several hundred chemicals/classes found in the work environment. Key data provided for each chemical/substance includes name (including synonyms/trade names), structure/formula, CAS/RTECS Numbers, DOT ID, conversion factors, exposure limits, IDLH, chemical and physical properties, measurement methods, personal protection, respirator recommendations, symptoms, and first aid.

NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic 2004
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2005-100
Provides a process that respirator program administrators can use to select appropriate respirators to protect workers in specific workplaces. Replaces the NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic (NIOSH Publication No. 87-108), and includes information on N95 through P100 particulate respirators.

Fact Sheet: What You Should Know In Deciding Whether to Buy Escape Hoods, Gas Masks, or Other Respirators for Preparedness at Home and Work
Provides information on what respirators are, how they work, and what is needed for a respirator to provide adequate protection.

Respirator Usage in Private Sector Firms, 2001
NIOSH and U.S. DOL BLS Publication
NIOSH and the Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted a voluntary survey of U.S. employers regarding the use of respirators. The findings are intended to provide information to develop interventions and to increase the frequency and effectiveness of respirator use in the workplace.

NIOSH-Approved Particulate Filtering Facepieces Respirators
This site provides a listing of NIOSH-approved particulate filtering facepiece respirators. This type of air-purifying respirators protects by filtering particles out of the air the user is breathing. There are seven classes of filters for NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators available at this time. Ninety-five percent is the minimal level of filtration that will be approved by NIOSH. The N, R and P designations refer to the filter's oil resistance as described in the table below.

Understanding Respiratory Protection Against SARS
Q & A about respirators and SARS, including what types of respiratory protection should be used by health care workers and others to protect against SARS.

Respirators: Your TB Defense / TB Respiratory Protection: Administrator's Review
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-114d (DVD)
Includes the programs 'Respirators: Your TB Defense', 'TB Respiratory Protection: Administrator's Review', and written materials in electronic format.

TB Respiratory Protection Program in Health Care Facilities
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-143.
This manual is designed to serve as a practical guide for those individuals responsible for initiating and running a TB respiratory protection program in health care facilities.

Medical Aspects of Wearing Respirators
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 91-119
PDF only (1.61 MB, 28 pages)
Appendix H — Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether, Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether, and Their Acetates.

NIOSH Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 87-116
Covers types of Respirators, guidance for selection and use, user notices, more....

NIOSH Guide to the Selection and Use of Particulate Respirators Certified Under 42 CFR 84
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-101
Explains the federal regulation for certifying air-purifying particulate respirators [42 CFR Part 84] and provides valuable information for selecting and using respirators certified by NIOSH.

NIOSH Federal Respiratory Regulations 42 CFR Part 84
External Link: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/42cfr84_04.html

NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 87-108 (1987)
Includes criteria for selection, restrictions and requirements, decision logic sequence, more...

Cleaning and Maintenance

Suggested Respirator Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures
Guidance for selecting cleaning equipment and supplies, procedures for respirator maintenance.

Certification

Certified Equipment List
The Certified Equipment List (CEL) is a database of all certified respirators.

Certification Program Support for Respirator Manufacturers
Centralized support services for respirator manufacturers. Includes lists of certification projects that are currently being processed, applications, application procedures, logos, more...

Respirator Standards

Approved Standards

Standards in Rulemaking Process

Standards Under Development

Full Text (PDF Only): Respiratory Protective Devices, 42 CFR Part 84
External Link: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=1995_register&position=all&page=30335
Includes the test requirements that a filter and respirator must meet for NIOSH to grant an approval to a manufacturer.

Technical Summary: Respiratory Protective Devices, 42 CFR Part 84

User Notices

NIOSH Respirator User Notices

Revocation of all Respirator Certificates of Approval and Misleading Representation of NIOSH Approval

Other Resources

OSHA Web site:

Respiratory Protection
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/index.html

Respiratory Protection Standards — Training and Reference Materials
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/ote/trng-materials/respirators/respirators.html

Deaths Involving the Inadvertent Connection of Air-line Respirators to Inert Gas Supplies
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib042704.html
This Safety and Health Information Bulletin contains information about fatalities that have occurred due to the inadvertent connection of air-line respirators to inert gas supplies.