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Escape RespiratorsTo Protect the General Worker Population Against CBRN AgentsThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), along with the U.S. Army Soldier Biological and Chemical Command (SBCCOM), and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) are continuing their efforts to develop appropriate standards and test procedures for all classes of respirators that will provide respiratory protection from Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) agents inhalation hazards. A standards development effort has been initiated for the development of a CBRN standard for Escape Respirators. Statement of Standard for CBRN Air-Purifying Escape Respirators and Self-Contained Escape RespiratorsThe new requirements for air-purifying escape respirator and self-contained escape respirator certification have been developed using the concept development process, and are responsive to public comments NIOSH received during three public meetings, numerous stakeholder meetings and to the NIOSH docket. NIOSH initiates the voluntary approval program pursuant to Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 84.60(b), 84.63(c), and 84.110(c). These sections provide NIOSH with the authority to issue approvals for respirators not specifically addressed in Part 84 and to develop additional requirements that the agency determines are “necessary to establish the quality, effectiveness and safety of any respirator used as protection against hazardous atmospheres.” NIOSH initiated the certification program through a formal letter to manufacturers and interested stakeholders that contains additional details for those parties interested in certification program participation. The following documents are reflected in the letter to manufacturers and interested stakeholders:
Public Comments regarding requirements for consideration in the Escape
Respirator Concept Development should be provided to the NIOSH Docket
Office: Telephone 513-533-8303 Concept PapersLinks to concept papers will be posted on this page so interested stakeholders can follow the progress of the standards development efforts.
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