The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL), is currently reevaluating its limitations on and precaution for safe use of positive-pressure closed-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus. As stated in the Federal Register dated Monday, November 18, 1985 [50 FR 47456] NIOSH’s position on this topic is that:

Available information does not demonstrate to the satisfaction of NIOSH that positive-pressure closed-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus which use a breathing gas of pure oxygen can be used during direct exposure to open flames and/or high radiant heat and assure the wearer’s safety. Therefore, NIOSH has determined that until it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of NIOSH that those devices can be worn under such conditions, it is prudent to presently limit the use of positive-pressure closed-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus which use pure oxygen breathing gas to mines and mining atmospheres which do not involve exposure to open flames or high radiant heat.

Information submitted to the docket will be considered in the context of development of conceptual standards, as well as updating equipment performance requirements to improve respirator user safety and health.

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