Use and Selection Guide for
Non-Powered Air Purifying Particulate Respirators

October 1996

This is a valuable aid to safety professionals and respirator users faced with complying with the new respiratory protection requirements of 42 CFR Part 84.

NIOSH issued its new testing and performance requirements for non-powered air purifying particulate respirators and filters in July 1995. The new requirements classify filters by their ability to resist degradation in the presence or absence of oil, rather than by hazard type such as dust, mist or fumes. Respirators are classed as N-, P-, or R-, and further distinguished as 95, 99 or 100 to indicate filter efficiency. After July 10, 1998, only respirators complying with 42 CFR Part 84 can be sold.

Making the transition to these new respirators can be confusing to safety professionals and industrial hygienists responsible for respiratory protection programs. The 20-page ISEA Use and Selection Guide makes it easier, by describing the new classifications, and providing a decision logic for selecting them. It also contains tables comparing existing 30 CFR 11 respirators to the new 42 CFR 84 respirators by particulate type, and by OSHA substance-specific standard.

The Use and Selection Guide was developed as a collaborative effort of the 16 members of the ISEA Respiratory Protection Group, who together account for 88 percent of all NIOSH-certified respirators. Single copies are $10. ISEA members receive an additional discount.

For more information, contact Cristine Fargo at the ISEA.

Order the Respirator Use and Selection Guide.

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