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NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only.
Letter to All Respirator ManufacturersOctober 8, 2003 Download this page in Print-friendly PDF form
It is imperative that the general working population be afforded effective respiratory protection in escaping from terrorist events involving possible chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents. Due to ongoing concern of a potential terrorist event and the need to provide the general working population with the best available respiratory protection as quickly as possible, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (or the Institute) is instituting this voluntary approval program on an expedited basis. The Institute will begin accepting applications on November 6, 2003, to test and evaluate air-purifying escape respirators for use against CBRN agents. The Institute will begin accepting applications on January 2, 2004, to test and evaluate self-contained escape respirators for use against CBRN agents. This letter informs manufacturers of voluntary requirements that air-purifying escape respirators and self-contained escape respirators must meet in order to obtain NIOSH approval. It also provides the procedures for the submission of applications for these approvals. NIOSH will issue an approval and approval labels identifying the air-purifying escape respirators and self-contained escape respirators as appropriate for use against CBRN agents. Requirements for ApprovalTo be approved for use in providing protection against CBRN agents, NIOSH has determined that an air-purifying escape respirator must be evaluated against the criteria defined in the Statement of Standard for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Air-Purifying Escape Respirator dated September 30, 2003. (Attachment A). To be approved for use in providing protection against CBRN agents, NIOSH has determined that a self-contained escape respirator must be evaluated against the criteria defined in the Statement of Standard for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Self-Contained Escape Respirator dated September 30, 2003. (Attachment B). Notification to Users and Regulatory AgenciesNIOSH will maintain and disseminate approval lists for respirators approved under this program. These lists will be entitled CBRN Air-Purifying Escape Respirators and CBRN Self-Contained Escape Respirators. The lists will contain the manufacturer, model, component parts, accessories, and rated duration. These lists will be maintained as a separate category within the NIOSH Certified Equipment List. NIOSH will also disseminate the list of approved CBRN Air-Purifying Escape Respirators and CBRN Self-Contained Escape Respirators by maintaining the list on its website, www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html, and seek to have it placed on or linked to other appropriate websites that disseminate information regarding respiratory protection. In addition, NIOSH will supply the list to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for dissemination to its district offices. Respirator Identification / LabelingIn accordance with the requirements of paragraph 84.33 of Title 42, CFR, Subpart D, approval labels for the air-purifying escape respirator shall be marked with a CBRN Rating as determined by Paragraph 4.1, Duration Rating, of the Statement of Standard for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Air-Purifying Escape Respirator, dated September 30, 2003. NIOSH will authorize the use of an additional approval label on the self-contained escape respirator that demonstrates compliance to the CBRN criteria. This label is to be placed in a visible location. The addition of this label will provide visible and easy identification of equipment for its appropriate use. In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 84.33 of Title 42, CFR, Subpart D, approval labels shall be marked with a CBRN rating as determined by Paragraph 4.1, Duration Rating, of the Statement of Standard for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Self-Contained Escape Respirator, dated September 30, 2003. Standard Test Procedures that will be used to test and evaluate both types of escape respirators will be available on the NIOSH/NPPTL web site, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/default.html. If you need additional information, please contact: NIOSH at 412-386-4000 or e-mail at npptl@cdc.gov.
Roland J. Berry Ann
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