The selection, use, and maintenance of respirators in the United States is presently regulated by several Federal agencies. The agencies, the acts which authorize their activities, and the current regulations relating to selection, use, and maintenance of respirators, are as follows.

In 1975, NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as part of the Standards Completion Program developed a Respirator Decision Logic. That Logic incorporated fit factor data developed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) under contract to NIOSH and incorporated requirements from 30 CFR 11.

The Decision Logic was modified by NIOSH in 1987 to include:

1. the NIOSH respirator carcinogen policy,

2. respiratory protective devices developed since 1975, and

3. a revision of assigned protection factors for those respirators for which valid workplace protection factor studies had been performed.

The selection of a specific respirator should be made by individuals knowledgeable of the limitations associated with each class of respirator (see Chapter 2), and familiar with the actual work environment including job tasks to be performed. For example, mobility of the worker and temperature and humidity of the work environment should all be considered in making an adequate respirator selection.

The NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic is reproduced as part of Appendix E of this document. This Logic contains a set of questions which will lead the user to the proper respirator selection table and identifies the criteria necessary to determine the classes of respirators which will provide adequate protection.

The NIOSH Certified Equipment List (NCE) is published annually and lists the coal mine dust personal sampler units and respirators certified by NIOSH as well as provides updated information on the products, certifications, respirator complaints and problems, and NIOSH respirator policy.

In 1985, the format of this publication was modified. Respirators are now listed by specific certification class. General cautions and limitations for each certification class are listed (see page 84). However, these limitations are by no means all inclusive. The respirator manufacturer may also identify further limitations or cautions for their respirators. In addition, regulatory agencies may also place a limit on the use of respirators in their standards. An example of the listing for entry into and escape open-circuit SCBA is given on page 85.

Single, complimentary copies of the NCE will be provided by NIOSH while the supply lasts. Multiple copies can be ordered from the Government Printing Office (GPO). Requests for single copies should be sent to: