1. An Overview of Air-Purifying Respirators
Prepared by CPWR the Center for Construction Research and Training
CPWR research project

2. The hierarchy of controls has underpinned industrial hygiene control efforts for a long time
Elimination
Substitution
Modification
Containment
Ventilation
Work Practices
PPE
More reliance on workers
Adapted from

3. Is there an OSHA standard for respirators?
Yes!
General Industry 29 CFR
Construction: 29 CFR
Respiratory regulation may be contaminant specific

4. What is required in a written respiratory protection program?
Respirator selection
Medical evaluation
Fit testing
Proper procedures for routine and emergency use
Proper inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storing
Training
Program evaluation

5. Respirators can be divided based on facial coverage
Full-face half-face

6. A key difference is the pressure inside the mask when inhaling
Negative pressure
Positive pressure

7. Powered air purifying respirators filter air, but keep a positive pressure in the face-piece
PAPRs with tight fitting facepiece
PAPR with loose fitting hood
PAPR with loose fitting facepiece for welding

8. Air purifying respirators filter out dusts AND vapors
Must have the correct color-coded cartridge and it must be NIOSH-approved

9. Cartridges to protect against silica exposures are magenta
Color
Type
Protection against
Magenta, purple
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)
Silica dust, asbestos fibers, lead particles
Black
Organic vapor
Solvents
Yellow
Organic vapor and acid gases
Brick cleaners

10. NIOSHs categories of particulate filters are based on oil mist degradation
Not resistant N
Resistant R
Protective against P

11. Particulate filters are further classified base on efficiency
95 percent, designated 95
99 percent, designated 99
99.97 percent, designated 100 (HEPA filter)

12. This gives 9 categories of particulate respiratorsN R P
100 99 95

13. Method of particle capture
Courtesy Roland Berry Ann, NIOSH

14. What is the most penetrating particle size?
Efficiency .
Particle diameter
Courtesy Roland Berry-Ann, NIOSH

15. OSHA requires that workers pass a fit test before wearing a respirator
Quantitative
Qualitative
PortaCount Quantitative Fit Testing System
Courtesy TSI, Inc.
Allegro Complete Smoke Fit Test Kit Photo Courtesy Gempler’s

16. User seal checks must be performed before each use
Negative pressure check
Positive pressure check
Image courtesy IUOE Hazmat Program and Robert Harrold

17. Storage and maintenance of respirators are often neglected

18. Cleaning is important and easy
Follow manufacturers recommendations
Use warm water and mild soap
Air dry

19. Questions? Bruce Lippy, Ph.D., CIH, CSP
CPWR’s Director of Safety Research
(direct line)