SUBJECT: CHOOSING RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
ORGIN: Moldex Technical Services Department
DATE: February 4, 2002
REVIEWED: March 2010
Overview
Choosing the appropriate respirator for a particular situation or workplace is a very important decision that can only be made by the end user and/or employer. Although Moldex® respirators may meet the needs of the end user under certain circumstances, the final decision must always be made by the end user. To select the appropriate respirator, the end user must know what contaminants they need protection from. Details of the substance(s) can usually be found on the MSDS if the contaminant is a raw material used in production. If the contaminant is some type of by-product of a work process, this may require more extensive investigation as to what the contaminant is.
Once the contaminant is identified it is necessary to determine its concentration by performing air sampling in the work area. There are many other factors that must also be considered in order to make the final determination of what type of respirator should be used. Some factors to consider include the length of time the employee may be exposed to the contaminant, the specific conditions at the work site, whether the work area is indoors or outdoors, and the other types of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used and whether other chemical exposures may occur at the work site.
Often the services of an Industrial Hygienist or other Health and Safety Professional may be required to help perform the evaluations and make the proper choice of respirator.
The use of any type of respiratory protection requires that a comprehensive respiratory program be in place which complies with 29CFR1910.134 or any other state or local regulations.
Moldex® Solution
Moldex® offers a wide range of half mask respiratory products including disposable N, R, and P respirators ranging from 95% efficiency all the way up to 100% (99.97%). Moldex® also offers reusable half mask respirators with a wide variety of cartridges and prefilters.
It is important to remember that neither Moldex®, Moldex® representatives, nor any of its distributors can make the choice for the end user. Moldex® can offer products that may fit the needs of the end user once they have decided what type of respirator to use, but the final decision must be made by the end user.
WARNING: The information contained in this Tech Brief is dated and was accurate to the best of Moldex’s knowledge, on the date above. It is not meant to be comprehensive, nor is it intended to be used in place of the warning/use instructions that accompany Moldex respirators. Outside of the USA, check with all applicable and local government regulations.
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