Foreword

Foreword

In June 1995, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) updated and modernized the Federal regulation for certifying air-purifying particulate respirators [42 CFR Part 84]. The respirators certified under this new regulation are tested under much more demanding conditions, and they provide increased worker protection. These new respirators also provide significant cost savings: Estimates indicate that the health care industry alone will save millions of dollars as a result of this new generation of practical and efficient respirators.

This guide was designed to explain the new regulation and to provide valuable information for selecting and using the new respirators certified by NIOSH.

We greatly appreciate the assistance of respirator manufacturers and others in making this information available to all employers and respirator program managers. We believe this information will help protect the health and lives of U.S. workers who wear particulate filter respirators.

Linda Rosenstock, M.D., M.P.H.
Director, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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