NIOSH Guide to the Selection and Use of Particulate Respirators Certified Under 42 CFR 84/Appendix C

by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

FLOW CHART FOR SELECTING PART 84 PARTICULATE FILTERS

 

 

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^*The higher the filter efficiency, the lower the filter leakage.
^†Limited by considerations of hygiene, damage, and breathing resistance.
^‡High (200 mg) filter loading in the certification test is intended to address the potential for filter efficiency degradation by solid or water-based (i.e., non-oil) aerosols in the workplace. Accordingly, there is no recommended service time in most workplace settings. However, in dirty workplaces (high aerosol concentrations), service time should only be extended beyond 8 hours of use (continuous or intermittent) by performing an evaluation in specific workplace settings that demonstrates (a) that extended use wiil not degrade the filter efficiency below the certified efficiency level, or (b) that the total mass loading of the filter is less than 200 mg (100 mg per filter for dual-filter respirators).
^§No specific service time limit when oil aerosols are not present. In the presence of oil aerosols, service time may be extended beyond 8 hours of use (continuous or intermittent) by demonstrating
(a) that extended use will not degrade the filter efficiency below the certified efficiency level, or
(b) that the total mass loading of the filter is less than 200 mg (100 mg per filter for dual-filter respirators).