Dear DCHAS members:
The NIOSH Science Blog did a nice job of providing background
information on the question, so I am forwarding the
link.
N9
5 Respirators and Surgical Masks.
http://w
ww.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb101409_respirator.html
Chuck Geraci
C
harles L. Geraci, Jr., Ph.D., CIH
C
oordinator, Nanotechnology Research Center
N
ational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
4
676 Columbia Parkway
C
incinnati, OH 45226
5
13-533-8339
CGeraci**At_Symbol_Here**cdc.gov
From:
DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Peter Zavon
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 9:49
PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L]
Do surgical masks = 'respirators'?
Tr
ue, in general, surgical masks are not respirators - but there are some
surgical masks that have also been
qualified as NIOSH Certified Respirators. Using those would bring you,
at least, into the voluntary use provisions.
Th
e real question is, why does the toxicology group want to order surgical
masks. If they are performing animal surgery and want them as part
of an effort to maintain a sterile surgical field, fine. The OSHA
respirator requirement would not come in unless there is some hazardous
material or pathogenic agent from which they need protection.
However, if they think they are using them as a way of dealing with dust
or chemicals in their own work environment, that is another
matter. Then it would seem that they are, at the least, at the
level of voluntary respirator use and OSHA Appendix D, and probably need
an assessment performed to determine whether there is a need for a real
respirator.
Peter Zavon,
CIH
Penfield, NY
PZAVON**At_Symbol_Here**Rochester.rr.com
From:
DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Wright, Mike
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 5:35
PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L]
Do surgical masks = 'respirators'?
Su
rgical masks are not respirators, and offer very little protection
against fine particulate. Their main purpose is to protect the patient
from sneezes and coughs by the operating room personnel, not to protect
the wearer from toxic substances. You should only choose respirators
which are NIOSH-certified for the particular use.
Mi
chael J. Wright
Di
rector of Health, Safety and Environment
Un
ited Steelworkers
(4
12) 562-2580 work
(4
12) 370-0105 cell
(4
12) 562-2584 fax
mwright**At_Symbol_Here**usw.org
From:
DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Jim Tung
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:02
AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L]
Do surgical masks = 'respirators'?
I
have an associated question to Bradley's that shows my lack of
knowledge: what is/are the respiratory regulatory issues surrounding the
operation of a grinder/mill, specifically one that can generate over 1
kilogram of material?
On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 8:53 AM, Norwood, Brad <Brad.Norwood**At_Symbol_Here**aristalabs.com> wrote:
As an
analytical laboratory, we operate under the Laboratory Standard
1910.1450 of the OSHA regulations. We have excellent engineering
controls, and have done monitoring for the the atmosphere contaminants
that would be of concern. We don’t meet the OSHA threshold
for any of those.
Now, my
toxicology group wants to order surgical masks, and since 1910.134
defines a “respirator”
as:
Filtering
facepiece (dust mask) means a
negative pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral
part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the
filtering medium (emphasis
added).
In light
of the above definition, I am forced to ask: is a surgical mask
considered a ‘respirator’? Do I now need to document
a) that there is no condition which requires use of a
respirator/surgical mask/form of protection in the toxicology section
and b) that if not, all of the toxicologists are also trained in
accordance with Appendix D to
1910.134?
brad.norwood**At_Symbol_Here**aristalabs.com
***
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