Particulate Filters

Selection Criteria

for

Particulate Filters

Any filters certified under NIOSH's current Part 84 requirements are generally acceptable for negative pressure respiratory protection against all aerosols, mists, fumes, and dusts subject to the filter stated limitations. These filters will be labeled with a letter N, R or P and a number representing the efficiency, 95, 99 or 100.

An exception for usability occurs when a substance specific OSHA standard, e.g. lead, requires a specific filter efficiency. If one of these standards requires a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter to comply with its requirement, the user should select a filter with a labeled efficiency number of 100.

1910.134(d)(3)(iv)
OSHA Standard Requirements for Particulate Respirator Selection

Guide to the Selection and Use of Particulate Respirators Certified Under 42 CFR 84. The Table of Contents to this document provides links to the corresponding sections by title.

Service Time Recommendations for P-Series Particulate Respirators.

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