Which Respirator Filter Do I Need?
 


Versión en español

When you work with asbestos, OSHA says you need a HEPA (N-, R-, or P-100) respirator most of the time. There are a few exceptions.

For your respirator, whether you need an N-, R-, or P-series filter depends on whether there are oil particles where you are working

  • If there are no oil particles in the work area, it's OK to use a filter of any series – N-, R-, or P-.
  • If there may be oil particles where you are working – for instance, in lubricants, cutting fluids, or glycerin – you cannot use an N filter. Use an R- or P- filter.
  • If there may be oil particles and the filter will be used for more than one work shift, use only a P- filter.

To help remember which filter to use, think of:

    N for Not resistant to oil,
    R for Resistant to oil
    P for oil Proof

This information is from the NIOSH website: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/respsumm.html
The OSHA asbestos regulation is at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10287.
Or, contact your local OSHA office, listed at http://www.oshaslc.gov/html/oshdir.html



This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent. eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not responsible for the accuracy of information provided on this web site, nor for its use or misuse.

 eLCOSH | CDC | NIOSH | Site Map | Search | Links | Help | Contact Us | Privacy Policy


Other Job Site Trade Hazard Site Map Search Spanish Items Help Links Contact eLCOSH Non-English Materials Training Materials NIOSH Home CDC Home eLCOSH Home