Respirators - Hazards and Warnings

These are Warnings and Limitations that all users must be made aware of in addition to all warnings and other information on the outside of the respirator packaging or other published related information. You must read and comply with these Warnings and Limitations at all times and if your employer has determined that it is appropriate to use these respirators.

Proper use of these respirators may reduce but will not eliminate the risk of illness or death from exposure to some CBRN hazards. CBRN hazards include, but are not limited to, bacteria, toxins and viruses that can cause death, serious bodily injury or disfigurement. The long-range and short-range risks of BBRN hazards and the amount and manner of exposure that may produce such risks remain to a great extent unknown. Use of these respirators must be in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Health Advisories or any other Local, State or Federal recommendations for use of respirators against specific CBRN hazards. These respirators should not be used for many CBRN hazards.

There are more efficient models of respirators with a higher level of protection available from respirator manufacturers. It is up to the employer, and not the manufacturer, to determine if a respirator should be worn and if so, which type, size, level of protection, and model.

BACKGROUND

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a branch of the CDC and a U.S. Government agency, is responsible for testing and certifying respirators for protection against hazardous industrial contaminants. Procedures for selecting and using proper respiratory protection are regulated by various governmental agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

NIOSH tests and certifies certain respirators for use against chemical warfare agents or biohazards and provides advisory information for some biohazards, but OSHA and other government agencies have not set any exposure standards for these agents or biohazards.

Respirator manufacturers do not make recommendations for any type of respirator to be used against CBRN hazards for workers or the general public.

You should know that there may be no obvious warnings of the presence or release of CBRN hazards.

WARNINGS FOR ALL USERS

• Particulate respirators must only be used for substances having Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and only where deemed appropriate by your employer.
• These respirators are not for use with beards or other facial hair that prevents direct contact between the face and sealing surface of the respirator.
• Particulate respirators, when properly fitted and used as part of a comprehensive respiratory protection program, may reduce wearer exposure to some airborne hazards, but not all.
• In the event of a sudden or unexpected CBRN hazard release, you may use these respirators for escape only if you have not been provided with a more appropriate respirator for this type of situation. Do not remove the mask form the face until you have left the contaminated area.
• Do not reuse or store for reuse or hang around neck unless your employer specifically authorizes reuse. Dispose of respirators as a hazardous waste in accordance with your employer's directions.
• Use other personal protective equipment, as directed by your employer. Where appropriate use protective gloves when handling or removing respirator and dispose of respirators and then gloves in accordance with your employer's directions.
• If CDC or other Local, State or Federal agency issues new or revised guidelines for respirator use against specific hazards, users must strictly comply.

WARNINGS FOR USE OF PARTICULATE RESPIRATORS AGAINST TB

OSHA and CDC have recommended the use of any of the particulate respirators approved under 42CFR84 as a means of providing help in complying with a program designed to reduce occupational exposure to tuberculosis.

The level of effectiveness of respiratory protection form tuberculosis cannot be determined with currently available data. However, proper use of appropriate particulate respirators in conjunction with a comprehensive respiratory protection program may reduce, but will not eliminate, risk of infection.

• Be sure to read the Limitations outlined below and strictly follow all Warnings set forth under the WARNINGS FOR ALL USERS above.
• When using any respirator, filter replacement and/or disposal must be handled in accordance with your Healthcare Facility's comprehensive respiratory protection program.
• If disinfectants are used to sanitize reusable facepieces, you must consult with your Healthcare Facility and run tests to ensure the compatability of any disinfectant reusable facepiece materials. Use of disinfectants could impair the efficiency of the respirator and result in a loss of protection.

LIMITATIONS

• Respirators may reduce but do not eliminate wearer exposure to airborne hazards or the risk of contracting any disease or infection. Only use these respirators as part of a comprehensive respiratory protection program. You will receive no respiratory protection if these respirators are not properly fitted and worn.
• Respirators must not be used by children.