June 18, 2003—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has just published a Respirator Fact Sheet on the organization’s Web site. The Fact Sheet is designed to inform employers and consumers considering purchasing escape hoods or other respirators to protect themselves against potential terrorist threats, including biological and chemical substances. The guidance will provide information on what respirators are, how they work, and what is needed for a respirator to provide protection.
The publication describes a respirator as a device to protect a user from inhaling dangerous substances, such as chemicals and infectious particles. It goes on to describe the various types of respirators available. The publication notes that respiratory protection is effective only if: the correct respirator is used, it is available when needed, the user knows when and how to put it on and take it off, and it has been stored and kept it in working order in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2003-144 is also available in PDF format from NIOSH.
