NIOSH air filtration rating

{{Infobox regulated PPE|image=DHHS Pub 96-101 NIOSH Guide to the Selection & Use of Particulate Respirators Certified Under 42 CFR 84.pdf

|imagealt=Cover page, with various people wearing respirators|caption=A 1996 NIOSH publication detailing the changes to respirator regulation after 42 CFR 84.{{break}}(Read on Wikisource)}}

The NIOSH air filtration rating is the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)'s classification of filtering respirators. The ratings describe the ability of the device to protect the wearer from solid and liquid particulates in the air. The certification and approval process for respiratory protective devices is governed by Part 84 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (42 CFR 84). Respiratory protective devices so classified include air-purifying respirators (APR) such as filtering facepiece respirators and chemical protective cartridges that have incorporated particulate filter elements.

The NIOSH-provided classifications only cover the filtration of particles or aerosols, not the air-purifying respirator's ability to remove chemical gasses and vapors from air, which is regulated under 42 CFR 84 Subpart L. For chemical cartridge classifications, NIOSH, under 42 CFR 84, partially defers to American National Standard ANSI K13.1-1973. All classifications assume that the respirator is properly fitted.

NIOSH ratings trademark

{{excerpt|N95 respirator|COVID-19 pandemic|only=paragraph|hat=0}}

It is illegal in the United States to use filtration terms coined under 42 CFR 84, or mark masks with the word "NIOSH" without the approval of NIOSH. Information about approved respirators can be found in the NIOSH certified equipment list (CEL).{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/counterfeitResp.html|title=Counterfeit Respirators / Misrepresentation of NIOSH Approval|date=May 23, 2024 }}

Early NIOSH/USBM classifications

= 30 CFR 14 Schedule 21 =

= 30 CFR 11 =

File:30 cfr part11 label.png

File:Проверка правильности надевания эластомерной полумаски 3М серия 6000 разрежением.jpg

Prior to the approval of 42 CFR 84, MSHA and NIOSH approved respirators under 30 CFR 11. Non-powered respirator filters were classified based on their design against a contaminant, including substances like Dusts, Fumes, Mists, radionuclides, and asbestos. Dust/Mist was usually tested with silica, and Fume was usually tested with lead fume. The most popular respirator filters were often referred to as DM (Dust/Mist) or DFM (Dust/Fume/Mist) in CDC and NIOSH literature as shorthand.{{cite wikisource|wslink=

NIOSH Guide to the Selection and Use of Particulate Respirators Certified Under 42 CFR 84 | title=

NIOSH Guide to the Selection and Use of Particulate Respirators Certified Under 42 CFR 84 | date=January 1996 |scan=

Index:DHHS Pub 96-101 NIOSH Guide to the Selection & Use of Particulate Respirators Certified Under 42 CFR 84.pdf}} Non-powered filters were also classified under the HEPA specification, if applicable.

Only 30 CFR 11 HEPA filters were permitted by NIOSH for the prevention of tuberculosis{{ran|C3}} and asbestos-related diseases.{{ran|CF1}}

NIOSH was concerned about users choosing inappropriate respirators, like confusion over choosing DM or DFM respirators with regards to particle penetration, so proposed Part 84 rules in 1994 dropped the contaminant/HEPA classification for most respirators in favor of three specifications, Type A, B and C, each representing filtration of 99.97%, 99%, and 95% respectively, with Type A proposed to be used in place of HEPA for non-powered respirators.{{ran|C1}}{{cite journal|first1=David|last1=Spelce|first2=Timothy R|last2=Rehak|first3=Richard W|last3=Meltzer|first4=James S|last4=Johnson|date=2019|title=History of U.S. Respirator Approval (Continued) Particulate Respirators|journal=J Int Soc Respir Prot|volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=37–55 |pmid=32572305 |pmc=7307331 }}

In 1973, the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) recommended NIOSH use NaCl aerosol to test DM and DFM filters. Results from those tests showed significant leakage, with efficiency levels measured at around 75% to 90%.{{cite book |title=A Performance Evaluation of DM and DFM Filter Respirators Certified for Protection Against Toxic Dusts, Fumes, and Mists WORKING DRAFT |date=1992 |publisher=CDC NIOSH |pp=62-63}} LANL noted that lead fume would plug the tested filters, increasing the apparent filtration efficiency of the filter."...the lead oxide fume particulate load into a respirator filter is quite large and causes significant plugging of the filter..."{{ran|S4}}

class="wikitable mw-collapsible nowrap"

|+(OBSOLETE) 30 CFR 11 efficiency levels"Dust, Mist (DM) respirators are labeled as "permissible respirator for dusts and mists or approved for respiratory protection against dust and mists having a time-weighted average not less than 0.05 milligram per cubic meter or 2 million particles per cubic foot".{{ran|ND3}}

!Particulate

!Respirator{{break}}approval

!Maximum{{break}}dust penetration

!Minimum{{break}}efficiency level

!Permitted for{{break}}TB

!Permitted for{{break}}asbestos

158.4 mg silica{{break}}{{convert|{{multiply|158.4|0.05}}|m3|ft3|abbr=on}} air

|Single-use Dust/Mist filters

| 1.8 mg

| 98.86%

| {{No}}

158.4 mg, usually silica{{break}}{{convert|{{multiply|158.4|0.05}}|m3|ft3|abbr=on}} air

|Replaceable Dust/Mist filters

| 1.5 mg

| 99.05%

| {{No}}

0.3 micron DOP{{break}}0.05 mg per cubic meter air for particles

|HEPA (includes{{break}}Dust/Mist approval){{ran|ND3}}

|N/A

|99.97%

| {{Yes}}

Transition

{{excerpt|N95 respirator|Approval of Part 84 and replacement of 30 CFR 11|hat=no|only=paragraphs}}

Current classifications

=== 42 CFR 84 ===

{{About-distinguish-text|the Part 84 respirator regulation enacted in 1995|the older, 1973 Part 84 regulation for colorimetric detector tubes,{{citation |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1973-05-08/pdf/FR-1973-05-08.pdf|title=Federal Register |volume=58 |issue=88 |date=1973-05-08 |page=11458}} which will not be discussed here}}

File:P100 respirator label.jpg

File:US Navy respirator fit test.jpg

Under the current revision of Part 84 established in 1995, NIOSH established nine classifications of approved particulate filtering respirators based on a combination of the respirator series and efficiency level. The first part of the filter's classification indicates the series using the letters N, R, or P to indicate the filter's resistance to filtration efficiency degradation when exposed to oil-based or oil-like aerosols (e.g., lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerine, etc.).{{ran|CF2}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/respsource1quest2.html|title=Respirator Trusted-Source Information Section 1: NIOSH-Approved Respirators|date=January 29, 2018|website=The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)|publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=February 9, 2020|archive-date=16 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616143741/https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/respsource1quest2.html|url-status=live}}{{ran|N2}} Definitions and intended use for each series is indicated below.{{Cite web|url=https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_viii/otm_viii_2.html#app_viii:2_4|title=OSHA Technical Manual Section 8VII: Chapter 2 Respiratory Protection Appendix 2-4|website=OSHA|access-date=February 9, 2020|edition=TED 01-00-015|archive-date=28 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928110357/https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_viii/otm_viii_2.html#app_viii:2_4|url-status=live}}

N for not resistant to oil. Used when oil particulates are not present. Tested using sodium chloride particles.
R for resistant to oil. Used when oil particulates are present and the filter is disposed of after one shift. Tested using dioctyl phthalate (DOP) oil particles.
P for oil-proof. Used when oil particulates are present and the filter is re-used for more than one shift. Tested with DOP oil particles.

The second value indicates the minimum efficiency level of the filter. When tested according to the protocol established by NIOSH each filter classification must demonstrate the minimum efficiency level indicated below.

class="wikitable mw-collapsible nowrap"

|+NIOSH particulate respirator class minimum efficiency levels{{ran|CF2}}

!style="width: 50pt;" |Particulate

!Respirator class

!Minimum efficiency{{break}}level

!Permitted for{{break}}TB

!Permitted for{{break}}asbestos

rowspan=3 |NaCl (N) or DOP (R,P)

|N95, R95, P95

|95%

|rowspan=3 {{Yes}}

|rowspan=2 {{No}}

N99, R99, P99

|99%

N100, R100, P100

|99.97%

|{{Yes}}

All respirator types are permitted for TB.{{cite web|title=TB Respiratory Protection Program In Health Care Facilities Administrator's Guide|publisher=U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health|date=September 1999|doi=10.26616/NIOSHPUB99143|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-143/pdfs/99-143.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB99143|access-date=14 June 2024|archive-date=10 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010235933/http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-143/pdfs/99-143.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB99143|url-status=live}}{{ran|C1}} Class-100 filters can block asbestos.{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0041.html|publisher=CDC|title=NIOSH Pocket Guide - Asbestos|access-date=20 June 2024|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620220104/https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0041.html|url-status=live}}{{ran|CF1}}{{ran|S2}} For N type filters, a 200 mg load of NaCl is used, with an undefined service time. For R type filters, a 200 mg of DOP is used, with a defined service time of "one work shift". For P type filters, an indefinite amount of DOP is used until filtration efficiency stabilizes.{{ran|N2}} P100 filters, under 42 CFR part 84, are the only filters permitted to be magenta in color.{{cite magazine|last=Herring Jr.|first=Ronald N.|date=1997|title=42 CFR Part 84: It's time to change respirators... but how?|magazine=Engineer's Digest|pages=14–23}}

HE (high-efficiency) labeled filters (described in the subsection) are only provided for powered air-purifying respirators. HE-marked filters are 99.97% efficient against 0.3 micron particles and are oil-proof.{{Cite web|title=Considerations for Optimizing the Supply of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/powered-air-purifying-respirators-strategy.html|date=2020-04-19|website=U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-25|archive-date=6 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106033427/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/powered-air-purifying-respirators-strategy.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|title=To PAPR or Not to PAPR?|last=Vanessa|first=Roberts|date=Fall 2014|journal=Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy |volume=50|issue=3|pages=87–90|language=en|pmc=4456839|pmid=26078617}}{{Cite web|title=Understanding Respiratory Protection Against SARS|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/factsheets/respsars.html|date=2020-04-09|website=U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-26|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206221339/https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/factsheets/respsars.html|url-status=live}}

Since filters are tested against the by definition most penetrating particle size of 0.3 μm, an APR with a P100 classification would be at least 99.97% efficient at removing particles of this size.{{ran|N2}} Particles with a size both less than and greater than 0.3 μm may be filtered at an efficiency greater than 99.97%.{{ran|N2}} However, this may not always be the case, as the most penetrating particle size for N95s was measured to be below 0.1 μm, as opposed to the predicted size of between 0.1 and 0.3 μm.{{cite journal|last1=Lee|first1=Byung Uk|last2=Yermakov|first2=Mikhail|last3=Grinshpun|first3=Sergey A.|title=Filtering Efficiency of N95- and R95-Type Facepiece Respirators, Dust-Mist Facepiece Respirators, and Surgical Masks Operating in Unipolarly Ionized Indoor Air Environments|url=https://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-05-06-oa-0003.pdf|date=2005|journal=Aerosol and Air Quality Research|volume=5|issue=1|pages=25–38|doi=10.4209/aaqr.2005.06.0003|access-date=4 July 2024|archive-date=20 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120191347/https://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-05-06-oa-0003.pdf|url-status=live}}

== 2020 powered air-purifying respirator update ==

File:Influenza virus research.jpg]]

=== Chemical cartridge and canister classifications ===

File:P100 ovm respirator.jpg

Under 42 CFR 84, chemical cartridges and gas mask canisters are defined separately. Use of the TC-14G canister schedule or the TC-23C chemical cartridge schedule for a given respirator depends on whether "acid gas" is a designated contaminant, which is designated for gas mask canisters only, or if the manufacturer is obligated to list all designated contaminants supported by a given chemical cartridge.{{ran|ND2}}

42 CFR 84 Subsection L describes seven types of chemical cartridge respirators with maximum use concentrations and penetration, noting that colors and markings are definitively based on ANSI K13.1-1973.{{ran|CF2}} A TB guide, published by NIOSH in 1999, describes 13 combinations of contaminants with unique color markings. The definitive guide from ANSI, who, since the passage of 42 CFR 84 in 1995, has published a 2001 revision of K13.1-1973, named Z88.7-2001, describes 14 combinations of contaminants with unique color markings, based on 13 out of the 28 NIOSH Protection Designations.{{ran|S1}}{{ran|ND1}} The ANSI standard also notes that these classifications do not apply in aviation or military respirators.{{ran|S1}}

A comparison table below that details the NIOSH protection designations,{{ran|ND1}} 42 CFR 84,{{ran|CF2}} the Navy/Marine Field Manual, the NIOSH TB guide, and whether they match up with the (42 CFR 84-declared ANSI K13.1-1973 revision) ANSI Z88.7-2001 colors,{{ran|S1}} for each type of chemical cartridge is described below. Note that, while the 2001 revision to ANSI K13.1-1973 provides exact colors under the Munsell Color System,{{ran|S1}} colors and combinations outside the public domain, as well as cartridge/canister designation, have been omitted to facilitate this fair use comparison:

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible sticky-header"

|+Respirator/Filter type designation and color comparison{{efn|name=pocketguide}}

!style="width: 100pt;" |NIOSH protection

designations{{ran|ND1}}

!style="width: 100pt;" |NIOSH protection

abbreviation{{ran|ND1}}

!style="width: 50pt;" |42 CFR 84 max use concentration{{ran|CF2}}{{efn|name=pocketguide}}

!style="width: 50pt;" |Penetration allowed by 42 CFR 84{{efn|name=pocketguide|See the NIOSH pocket guide for additional respirator use guidelines. Breakthrough concentration times can be calculated through the NIOSH MultiVapor tool, or OSHA math models.}}

!style="width: 50pt;" |Efficiency level{{efn|name=pocketguide}}

! style="width: 100pt;" |1999 NIOSH TB Guide

color

!style="width: 100pt;" |Correlated with Z88.7-2001

(K13.1-1973 revision)?{{ran|S1}}

Acid gas (gas mask only){{ran|ND1}}

|AG

| colspan="3" |{{Center|N/A}}

| style="background: white" |White

|{{Maybe|Yes, for canisters only}}

Ammonia

|AM

|300 ppm

|50 ppm

|83.3%

| style="background: #9EFF9E" |Green

|{{Yes}}

Chlorine dioxide

|CD

| colspan="4" |{{Center|N/A}}

|{{maybe|In standard as combination}}

Chlorine

|CL

|10 ppm

|5 ppm

|50%

| style="background: white" |White with

1/2" yellow stripe

|{{Maybe|No stripe, but within designation color}}

Chloroacetophenone

|CN

| colspan="5" |{{Center|N/A}}

Carbon monoxide

|CO

| colspan="3" |{{Center|N/A}}

| style="background: blue; color: white" |Blue

|{{Yes}}

Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile

|CS

| colspan="5" rowspan="3" |{{Center|N/A}}

Ethylene oxide

|EO

Formaldehyde

|FM

Hydrogen chloride

|HC

|50 ppm

|5 ppm

|90%

|{{Center|N/A}}

|{{maybe|In standard as combination}}

Hydrogen fluoride

|HF

| colspan="4" |{{Center|N/A}}

|{{maybe|In standard as combination}}

Hydrogen cyanide

|HN

| colspan="3" |{{Center|N/A}}

| style="background: white" |White, with 1/2" green stripe

|{{No|No stripe, wrong color, actual color for unlisted combinations}}

Hydrogen sulfide

|HS

| colspan="4" |{{Center|N/A}}

|{{maybe|In standard as combination}}

(escape only)

Methylamine

|MA

|100 ppm

|10 ppm

|90%

|{{Center|N/A}}

|{{maybe|In standard with ammonia}}

Mercury vapor

|MV

| colspan="5" rowspan="2" |{{Center|N/A}}

Nitrogen dioxide

|ND

Organic Vapor

|OV

|1000 ppm

or lower

|5 ppm

|Depends

| style="background: black; color: white" |Black

|{{Yes}}

Phosphine

|PH

| colspan="5" |{{Center|N/A}}

Sulfur dioxide

|SD

|50 ppm

|5 ppm

|90%

|{{Center|N/A}}

|{{maybe|In standard as combination}}

Vinyl chloride

|VC

|10 ppm

|1 ppm

|90%

|{{Center|N/A}}

|{{No|NIOSH designation does not exist, may use unlisted combination color}}

Toluene diisocyanate

|TDI

| colspan="5" |{{Center|N/A}}

Demand (SCBA)

|DE

| colspan="5" rowspan="6" |{{Center|Non-air-purifying respirators (Atmosphere-supplying respirators)}}

Pressure Demand

(SCBA)

|PD

Supplied-air (Air-line)

|SA

Supplied-air Abrasive Blast

|SB

Self-Contained

(SCBA)

|SC

Escape (SCBA)

|ESC

File:HEPA_half-face_respirator.jpg/NIOSH emblems]]

class="wikitable sortable collapsible sticky-header" \|+Respirator combination designation and color comparison{{efn\|name=pocketguide}} !style="width: 100pt;" \| !style="width: 100pt;" \|NIOSH protection abbreviation{{ran\|ND1}} !style="width: 100pt;" \|Color !style="width: 100pt;" \|Correlated with Z88.7-2001 (K13.1-1973 revision)?{{ran\|S1}}
rowspan="7" \|1999 NIOSH TB Guide combinations \|Any of above chemicals/ Particulates \|Gray stripe \|{{No\|Wrong color, no stripe}}
HN/Chloropicrin \|Yellow with 1/2" blue stripe \|{{no\|NIOSH designation does not exist, no stripe, wrong color, actual color for unlisted combinations}}
Radionuclides \|Purple/Magenta \|{{maybe\|Yes, under 30 CFR 11 HEPA}}
AG/HN/CL/OV/AM/CO/ Chloropicrin/ radionuclides/ particulate \|Red with 1/2" gray stripe \|{{maybe\|No stripe needed, combination more than required for color (AG/OV/AM/CO)}}
AG/AM \|Green with 1/2" white stripe \|{{No\|No stripe, wrong color, actual color for unlisted combinations}}
AG/OV \|Yellow \|{{maybe\|Yes, for canisters only}}
AG/OV/AM \|Brown \|{{maybe\|Yes, for canisters only}}
rowspan="6" \|Navy/Marine Field Manual combinations{{Efn\|For brevity, only combinations that are different from the TB guide are listed.}} \|"Acid Gases": CL/CD/HS/HC/SD/HF \|White \|{{Maybe\|Combination more than required for color (CL/HC/SD)}}
"Organic Vapors": Xylene/Toluene \|Brown \|{{Maybe\|Within designation color, but wrong color if exclusive}}
"Basic gases": AM/MA \|Green \|{{Yes}}
FM \|Tan \|{{Maybe\|Within designation color, but actual color for unlisted combinations}}
MV \|Orange \|{{No\|NIOSH designation does not exist, wrong color, actual color for unlisted combinations}}
HEPA \|Purple \|{{Yes}}

class="wikitable sortable collapsible sticky-header"

|+Respirator combination designation and color comparison{{efn|name=pocketguide}}

!style="width: 100pt;" |

!style="width: 100pt;" |NIOSH protection

abbreviation{{ran|ND1}}

!style="width: 100pt;" |Color

!style="width: 100pt;" |Correlated with Z88.7-2001

(K13.1-1973 revision)?{{ran|S1}}

rowspan="7" |1999 NIOSH TB Guide combinations

|Any of above

chemicals/

Particulates

|Gray stripe

|{{No|Wrong color, no stripe}}

HN/Chloropicrin

|Yellow with 1/2" blue stripe

|{{no|NIOSH designation does not exist, no stripe, wrong color, actual color for unlisted combinations}}

Radionuclides

|Purple/Magenta

|{{maybe|Yes, under 30 CFR 11 HEPA}}

AG/HN/CL/OV/AM/CO/

Chloropicrin/

radionuclides/

particulate

|Red with

1/2" gray stripe

|{{maybe|No stripe needed, combination more than required for color (AG/OV/AM/CO)}}

AG/AM

|Green with 1/2" white stripe

|{{No|No stripe, wrong color, actual color for unlisted combinations}}

AG/OV

|Yellow

|{{maybe|Yes, for canisters only}}

AG/OV/AM

|Brown

|{{maybe|Yes, for canisters only}}

rowspan="6" |Navy/Marine Field Manual combinations{{Efn|For brevity, only combinations that are different from the TB guide are listed.}}

|"Acid Gases":

CL/CD/HS/HC/SD/HF

|White

|{{Maybe|Combination more than required for color (CL/HC/SD)}}

"Organic Vapors":

Xylene/Toluene

|Brown

|{{Maybe|Within designation color, but wrong color if exclusive}}

"Basic gases": AM/MA

|Green

|{{Yes}}

|Tan

|{{Maybe|Within designation color, but actual color for unlisted combinations}}

|Orange

|{{No|NIOSH designation does not exist, wrong color, actual color for unlisted combinations}}

HEPA

|Purple

|{{Yes}}

File:Habit de protection contre Covid-19 pour paramedic.jpg

For particulate respirators, while NIOSH designates P100 as filter cartridges that can use the "magenta" color, ANSI designates P100 as "purple", a color which can be seen on some P100 filter cartridges. In addition, the 2001 revision to ANSI K13.1-1973 provides exclusive colors to be used for non-P100 cartridge filters, in two categories: oil-resistant (remaining R- and P- NIOSH ratings), and non-oil resistant (all N-ratings).{{ran|S1}}

By definition, ANSI Z88.2-2015 considers N100, R100, P100, and HE as HEPA filters.{{ran|S2}}

Table of TC/BM approval schedules

{{Redirect|TC-84A|information on TC-84A N95-class respirators|N95 respirator}}{{anchor|Table of TC/BM Approval Schedules}}

File:NIOSH CEL program 2001.png

NIOSH is the current regulator of all the respirators in this schedule, under 42 CFR 84.{{ran|C1}} 'BM' stands for the US Bureau of Mines, the historical regulator of respirators in the United States.

class="wikitable mw-collapsible"

|+Approval schedules{{cite web|url=https://www.med.navy.mil/Portals/62/Documents/NMFA/NMCPHC/root/Industrial%20Hygiene/RESPIRATOR-CLASSIFICATION.pdf?ver=q3PgwJDJRP8F2Ge3pNHzow%3D%3D|title=ndustrial Hygiene Field Operations Manual Technical Manual NMCPHC-TM6290.91-2 10 MAY 2021|access-date=8 June 2024|archive-date=17 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217151104/https://www.med.navy.mil/Portals/62/Documents/NMFA/NMCPHC/root/Industrial%20Hygiene/RESPIRATOR-CLASSIFICATION.pdf?ver=q3PgwJDJRP8F2Ge3pNHzow%3D%3D|url-status=live}}{{ran|ND2}}

!US Code

!Gas mask{{break}}(Canister{{ran|ND2}})

!Chemical{{break}}Cartridge

|BM-14

|BM-19

|BM-13

|BM-21

|N/A

|BM-23

30 CFR 11

|TC-14G

|TC-19C

|TC-13F

|TC-21C

|TC-23C

42 CFR 84 (enacted)

|TC-14G

|TC-19C

|TC-13F

|TC-84A

|TC-21C

|TC-23C

TC-21C respirator approval numbers for negative-pressure particulate respirators have three digits, in the form: TC-21C-###, while TC-84A respirator approval numbers have four digits, in the form: TC-84A-####.{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/counterfeitResp.html|title=Counterfeit Respirators / Misrepresentation of NIOSH Approval|date=23 May 2024|publisher=CDC NIOSH NPPTL|access-date=8 June 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713014521/https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/counterfeitResp.html|url-status=live}} 42 CFR 84 (until 2020) did not change regulation regarding powered-air purifying particulate respirators, so have continued under TC-21C approval, with four digits, in the form TC-21C-####.{{ran|N2}}

= NIOSH Certified Equipment List =

{{excerpt|National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health|NIOSH Certified Equipment List|only=paragraphs}}

NIOSH rating limitations

NIOSH air filtration ratings do not test the fit of a respirator. Fit testing is required by OSHA for employers when a hazard is present, and voluntary respirator use under Appendix D is not allowed due to the hazard.{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/respsource3fittest.html|title=Fit Test FAQs|date=28 December 2021|access-date=15 June 2024|archive-date=15 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615210221/https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/respsource3fittest.html|url-status=live}}{{ran|C5}} Rules for fit testing are also defined by ANSI Z88.2. Z88.2 notes that, in Canada, respirator care and fit testing are defined by CSA Z94.4.{{ran|S2}}{{ran|S3}}

Similar standards

File:Filteration Collection Mechanisms-en.svg

A few other jurisdictions use standards similar to the NIOSH scheme to classify mechanical filter respirators. They include:

China (GB 2626-2019): Similar testing requirements and grades. Has "KN" and "KP" resistance levels, 90/95/99. Has additional EU-like rules on leakage.
Mexico (NOM-116-2009): Same grades.
South Korea (KMOEL - 2017-64): EU grades, KF 80/94/99 for second/first/special

References

= Selected sources =

{{excerpt|N95 respirator|Sources from the Federal Register (Titles 29, 30, 42)|hat=0}}

{{excerpt|Powered air-purifying respirator|Sources from the Federal Register (Titles 29, 42)|hat=0}}

== Works cited on this page ==

{{rma |tag=ND1 |reference={{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/archive/pdfs/niosh-008/0008-100106-handout_7.pdf|title=LIST OF NIOSH STANDARD PROTECTIONS, CAUTIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR APPROVAL LABELS|publisher=CDC NIOSH}}}}

{{rma |tag=ND2 |reference={{cite web|url=http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/sap_0101.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030319064642/http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/sap_0101.pdf|date=January 2001|archive-date=2003-03-19|title=STANDARD APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF RESPIRATORS|publisher=CDC NIOSH}}}}

{{rma |tag=ND3 |reference={{cite wikisource|wslink=Differences and Limitations Between Part 11 Particulate Respirators and Part 84 Particulate Respirators| title=Differences and Limitations Between Part 11 Particulate Respirators and Part 84 Particulate Respirators| date=June 1996}}}}

{{rma |tag=S1 |reference={{citation|url=https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/AIHA/preview_ansi-aiha%20Z88.7.pdf|title=American National Standard for Color-Coding of Air Purifying Respirator Canisters, Cartridges, and Filters|publisher=American Industrial Hygiene Association, ANSI|date=2001-05-03|access-date=3 July 2024|archive-date=2 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502024039/https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/AIHA/preview_ansi-aiha%20Z88.7.pdf|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}}}

{{rma |tag=S2 |reference={{citation|url=https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/ASSE/preview_ANSI+ASSE+Z88.2-2015.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoqcRAVMMGlzi5vb9BRw7GGDyQE8rcp4zLI1iLD9BE8z4rJYSm3e|title=ANSI/ASSE Z88.2 - 2015 American National Standard Practices for Respiratory Protection |date=April 2015 |url-access=limited}}}}

{{rma |tag=S3 |reference={{cite web|url=https://www.ohcow.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Revising-CanadianRespiratorStandard.pdf|title=Revising the CSA Respirator Standard|date=March 2024|last=Smith|first=Simon}}}}

{{rma |tag=S4 |reference={{citation |title=Respiratory Studies for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - July 1, 1973 through June 30, 1974 |date=1974 |publisher=LANL |last=Held |first=Bruce J.}} (Commons link)}}

External links

[https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/cel/default.html NIOSH Certified Equipment List (CEL)]
[https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/default.html NIOSH Pocket Guide]
[https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/multivapor/multivapor.html NIOSH MultiVapor program]
[https://gerryowood.com/service-life-estimation-computer-programs.html#/ NIOSH GasRemove (beta)]
[https://www.osha.gov/etools/respiratory-protection/change-schedules/math-model OSHA math model tool for replacement of chemical cartridges]

Category:Air pollution

Category:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Category:Occupational safety and health

Category:Respirators

NIOSH air filtration rating

NIOSH ratings trademark

Early NIOSH/USBM classifications

= 30 CFR 14 Schedule 21 =

= 30 CFR 11 =

Transition

Current classifications

== 2020 powered air-purifying respirator update ==

Table of TC/BM approval schedules

= NIOSH Certified Equipment List =

NIOSH rating limitations

Similar standards

See also

References

= Selected sources =

== Works cited on this page ==

Further reading

External links