NIOSH ratings
The NIOSH ratings are a set of rules that NIOSH uses to check respirators. Today, the rules NIOSH uses is called 42 CFR Part 84. NIOSH uses these rules to check N95 respirators. Before the N95, other rules have been used in the past, like 30 CFR Part 11. Also, some less-seen respirators can have filters that can be changed. These respirators are called elastomeric respirators. See the last chart for other less-seen respirators. NIOSH checks all these less-seen respirators too.[1]
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Old ratings
changeBureau of Mines
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The first respirator rating rules were made due to miners dying. By 1907, 3,243 miners had died. The United States Bureau of Mines (USBM) was made to give out information for miners and mine owners, so fewer miners would die. Some respirator rules were made, but few wanted rules that had to be followed.[2]
Then, in 1929, the Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster happened. The number of dead was so great from the breathing of silica (silicosis), that the USBM had to make respirator rules that people had to follow. The rules at the time checked respirators with dust that made people sick. Each dust rule is checked by itself before being passing the check. They were:[3]
- Type A - Dust
- Type B - Fume - tested with lead fume
- Type C - Mist
Soon, "Type A/B/C" was seen less over time. People often said 'Dust/Fume/Mist' in place of 'Type A/B/C'. And often, respirators passed most of the 'Dust', 'Fume', and 'Mist' rules.[3]
"Dust/Mist" referred to the same test dust: silica.[3] See the chart below for the rules.
MSHA/NIOSH - 30 CFR Part 11
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The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act made the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). At the same time, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 made NIOSH. Soon, both US government agencies checked that respirators followed rules under '30 CFR Part 11'.[3] 30 CFR Part 11 rules include a MSHA-NIOSH approval label, which can be seen in the picture.
30 CFR Part 11 rules were the same as USBM rules. But, the 30 CFR Part 11 rules added HEPA rules for respirators. The most used rules are below:
| Dust used with rule | Respirator
rule or 'approval' |
Dust pass from filter,
to the mouth and nose, by rule |
Percentage of dust not passed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 158.4 milligram (mg) silica | Use-one-time 'Dust/Mist' respirators | 1.8 mg | 98.86% |
| 158.4 mg, most likely silica | Respirators with 'Dust/Mist' filters that can be changed | 1.5 mg | 99.05% |
| 0.3 micron Dioctyl phthalate | HEPA (most likely also follows 'Dust/Mist' rule or approval) | No information | 99.97% |
Some abbreviations of these respirators include: 'DM' and 'DFM',[4] which are 'Dust/Mist' and 'Dust/Fume/Mist' ('Fume' is not in the chart above).
Ratings Today, under 42 CFR Part 84
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In 1995, NIOSH made new respirator rules.[5] The rules are stored in 42 CFR Part 84 in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The CFR is part of the Federal Register.[6] HEPA, or 'HE', is now only used for powered air-purifying respirators. HEPA for other respirators is now 'P100'. P100 is the only type of filter or respirator that can have the color magenta. Also, the NIOSH approval label for 42 CFR Part 84 is not the same as the label for 30 CFR Part 11.
Under the new rules, MSHA stopped checking respirators.[5] Also, in the United States, it is against the rule of law to sell things that are not respirators with these rules or ratings. Respirators that are not checked by NIOSH should also not be sold.[7]
Under 42 CFR Part 84, respirators should be tested with salt dust if the rating starts with the letter 'N'. The amount of salt dust is 200 milligrams (mg). Dioctyl phthalate is used if the rating starts with the letter 'R' or 'P'. 'R' and 'P' mean the respirator or 'filter' is made to stop oil mist. For 'R', the amount of DOP mist used is 200 mg. For 'P', the amount of DOP mist used does not have a number. It does not stop for a long time.[8] All the new ratings are below:
| Dust used with rule | Respirator
rule or rating |
Percentage of dust not passed
to the mouth and nose |
|---|---|---|
| NaCl (N) or DOP (R,P) | N95, R95, P95 | 95% |
| N99, R99, P99 | 99% | |
| N100, R100, P100, HE | 99.97% |
If the rating ends in 100, the respirator or filter can stop asbestos.[9]
Last Chart: Type of respirator by TC Number
changeThis chart shows which less-seen respirator each TC number goes to. This can be used to check if a respirator is real in the NIOSH CEL.
| US Code | Gas mask | Air-line | SCBA | Particulate | PAPR | Chemical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bureau of Mines (shown on the respirator as 'BM') | BM-14 | BM-19 | BM-13 | BM-21 | N/A | BM-23 |
| 30 CFR 11 | TC-14G | TC-19C | TC-13F | TC-21C | TC-21C | TC-23C |
| 42 CFR 84 (used today) | TC-14G | TC-19C | TC-13F | TC-84A | TC-21C | TC-23C |
N95s use the TC number 'TC-84A'.
Other Websites
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References
change- ↑ "42 CFR Part 84 Respiratory Protective Devices". The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 4 March 1997. Retrieved 8 June 2023 – via U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- ↑ Howard W., Spencer. "The Historic and Cultural Importance of the HAWKS NEST TUNNEL DISASTER" (PDF). American Society of Safety Professionals.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Spelce, David; Rehak, Timothy R; Meltzer, Richard W; Johnson, James S (2019). "History of U.S. Respirator Approval (Continued) Particulate Respirators". J Int Soc Respir Prot. 36 (2): 37–55. PMC 7307331. PMID 32572305.
- ↑ NIOSH Recommended Guidelines for Personal Respiratory Protection of Workers in Health-care Facilities Potentially Exposed to Tuberculosis. 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service 42 CFR Part 84" (PDF). US Federal Register. pp. 26850-26893. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ↑ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-84
- ↑ "Counterfeit Respirators / Misrepresentation of NIOSH Approval". May 23, 2024.
- ↑ "DHHS Pub 96-101 NIOSH Guide to the Selection & Use of Particulate Respirators Certified Under 42 CFR 84". NIOSH.
- ↑ "NIOSH Pocket Guide - Asbestos". CDC.
- ↑ "ndustrial Hygiene Field Operations Manual Technical Manual NMCPHC-TM6290.91-2 10 MAY 2021" (PDF).
- ↑ "NIOSH Guide to the Selection and Use of Particulate Respirators". CDC NIOSH. January 1996.