Great Guides For Selecting a Respirator

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Shopping for and using particulate respirators doesn't have to be a confusing task. This PE Fact document sets forth all of the information you need to make informed purchasing decisions and safely use your particulate respirator.




Testing guidelines for air-purifying particulate respirators can be found under The Department of Health and Human Services Rules and Regulations 42 CFR Part 84. This test criteria applies to particulate-style, non-powered air-purifying respirators only.



You can identify filters that meet these specifications by a sequence of approval numbers for non-powered particulate respirators (TC-84A-XXXX). All particulate respirators approved under Part 84 will have a certification label bearing the NIOSH and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) emblems; those approved under Part 11 have the emblems of NIOSH and MSHA. This will allow users to distinguish particulate respirators certified before July 10, 1995, under Part 11 from particulate respirators certified after that date under Part 84.



In the past, HEPA filters were the only filters approved for protection against tuberculosis (TB), which was costly to the health care industry. With Part 84, industries have the ability choose a lower cost respirator which provides appropriate protection. Under current test guidelines, workers exposed to TB can use the N95 series respirator which is more affordable and provides the necessary protection.



Today's particulate respirators fall into nine different classes, have three levels of filter efficiency (95, 99 and 99.97%), and three categories of filter degradation (N, R and P). All nine classes filter the same particle size (0.3 micrometers aerodynamic mass median diameter).



The following chart shows the filter classes certified under 42 CFR Part 84.



Description of filter classes certified under 42 CFR 84

Class of filter

Efficiency (%)

Test agent

Test maximum loading (mg)

Type of contaminant

Service time1



N-series

N100

N 99

N 95

-

99.97

99

95

NaCI 2

200

Solid and Water-based particulates (i.e., non-oil aerosols)

Nonspecific 3,4



R-series

R100

R 99

R 95

-

99.97

99

95

DOP oil 5

200

Any

One work shift3,6



P-series

P100 7

P 99

P 95

-

99.97

99

95

DOP oil

Stabilized efficiency

Any

Nonspecific 3





1 NIOSH will be conducting and encouraging other researchers to conduct studies to assure that these service time recommendations are adequate. If deemed necessary, additional service time limitations may be recommended by NIOSH for specific workplace conditions.



2 NaCl = sodium chloride



3 Limited by considerations of hygiene, damage and breathing resistance.



4 High (200mg) filter loading in the certification test is intended to address the potential for filter efficiency degradation by solid or water-based (i.e., non-oil) aerosols in the workplace. Accordingly, there is no recommended service time limit in most workplace settings. However, in dirty workplaces (high aerosol concentrations), service time should not go beyond 8 hours of use (continuous or intermittent) unless an evaluation of the workplace demonstrates (a) that extended use will not degrade the filter efficiency below the certified efficiency level, or (b) that the total mass loading of the filter is less than 200 mg (100 mg per filter for dual-filter respirators).



5 DOP oil = dioctyl phthalate



6 No specific service time limit when oil aerosols are not present. In the presence of oil aerosols, service time may be extended beyond 8 hours of use (continuous or intermittent) by demonstrating (a) that extended use will not degrade the filter efficiency below the certified efficiency level, or (b) that the total mass loading of the filter is less than 200 mg (100 mg per filter for dual-filter respirators).



7 The P100 filter must be color-coded magenta. The Part 84 Subpart KK HEPA filter on a PAPR will also be magenta, but the label will be different from the P100 filter, and the two filters cannot be interchanged.





Use Limitations



Filter usage is indicated by the N, R and P designations. N-series filters are "not resistant to oil," and should only be used for non-oil aerosols (e.g. solid and water-based). R-series filters are "resistant to oil" and P-series filters should be selected if there are oil aerosols (e.g. lubricants, cutting fluids, etc.) or non-oil aerosols in the workplace. Hygiene, damage, and breathing resistance are the three factors that limit the service life of all three filter categories (N, R and P). If damage, soiling, or increased breathing resistance occurs, filters should be replaced.



N-Series Filters

As stated above, the use and repeated use of N-series filters is generally limited only by hygiene, damage, and increased breathing resistance. However, if the particulate respirator is being used in extremely dirty or dusty working conditions that may result in high filter loading (200 mg), service time should be limited to continuous or intermittent use of 8 hours. An exception to this rule may be made if, upon evaluation, the specific workplace setting proves that extended use will not degrade the efficiency below the efficiency level of the specific respirator or that total mass loading of the filter does not exceed 200 mg.



R-Series Filters

If oil is present, R-series particulate respirator filters should be only used for one working shift (or for 8 hours of continuous or intermittent use). Otherwise, service time for R-series respirators can be extended using the same criteria as stated above (by evaluating the specific workplace setting and proving that extended use will not degrade the efficiency below the efficiency level of the specific respirator or that total mass loading does not exceed 200 mg).



Determinations for both N and R series particulate respirators must be re-evaluated should conditions change or modifications be made to processes that could alter the type of particulate being generated.



P-Series Filters

Hygiene, damage, and increased breathing resistance are the only three factors affecting use and reuse of P-series respirator filters.





Selection



In selecting the appropriate particulate respirator, the following conditions must be considered:



•The identity and concentration of the particles in the workplace air

•The OSHA or MSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL); NIOSH-recommended exposure limit; or other occupational exposure limit for the contaminant.

•The hazard ratio (HR) (i.e. the airborne particulate concentration divided by the exposure limit)

•The Assigned Protection Factor (APF) for the class of respirator (the APF should be greater than the HR).

•The immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) concentration, including oxygen deficiency (NIOSH 1994).

•Any service life information available for combination cartridges or canisters.

You can determine the maximum workplace concentration for which each particulate respirator can be used by multiplying the occupational exposure limit by the APF. For example, if the commonly accepted APF for a half-mask respirator is 10 and the PEL is 5 milligrams per cubic meter, then 50 milligrams per cubic meter is the highest workplace concentration in which a half-mask respirator can be used against that contaminant. If the workplace concentration is greater than 50 milligrams per cubic meter, a more protective respirator (with a higher APF) should be used. In no case should an air-purifying respirator be used in IDLH atmospheres or in areas that are oxygen deficient, and you should never exceed the manufacturer's guidelines.






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