756 Respiratory Protection
Glossary
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A
- Administrative Controls. Procedures and policies that reduce exposure to hazards by changing the way people work, such as rotating shifts or limiting time in hazardous areas.
- Aerosol. A suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air, which may include dusts, mists, fumes, and biological agents. Aerosols are a common respiratory hazard in workplaces.
- Airline Respirator (SAR). A supplied-air respirator that delivers breathing air through a hose from a stationary source, such as a compressor or bottled air. Unlike SCBAs, they are not portable and are suitable for long-duration use in non-IDLH atmospheres.
- Allergic Rhinitis. An allergic reaction causing inflammation of the nasal passages, often triggered by workplace allergens such as dust or animal dander.
- Anoxia. A severe deficiency of oxygen reaching the body tissues, potentially fatal if not corrected immediately. Can result from confined space entry or chemical exposure.
- Assigned Protection Factor (APF). The level of respiratory protection that a class of respirators is expected to provide to properly fitted and trained users. Defined by OSHA in 29 CFR 1910.134.
B
- Bioaerosol. A type of aerosol that contains living organisms or biological particles such as bacteria, viruses, pollen, or fungal spores. Common in healthcare and agricultural settings.
- Bronchitis. Inflammation of the bronchial tubes often caused or exacerbated by inhaling irritating substances, such as chemical vapors or smoke.
C
- Canister. A container with sorbents or filters used in respirators to remove contaminants from the air. Larger than cartridges, canisters are typically used with full-facepiece gas masks for protection against high concentrations of hazardous gases and vapors.
- Carcinogen. A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue, often regulated by permissible exposure limits in workplace environments. Examples include asbestos and benzene.
- Cartridge. A small component of air-purifying respirators that filters specific gases or vapors. Cartridges are designed for compatibility with particular respirator models and contaminants, such as organic vapor or acid gas cartridges.
- Chemical Cartridge Respirator. A respirator that uses cartridges to remove specific gases or vapors from the air before inhalation. The cartridges must match the specific contaminant.
- Combination Cartridge. A respiratory cartridge that provides both particulate filtration (like HEPA) and gas/vapor protection, commonly used in environments with mixed hazards.
- Competent Person. An individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. Defined and required by OSHA in many construction and general industry standards.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). A group of progressive lung diseases (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis) caused by prolonged exposure to respiratory hazards such as dust and smoke.
D
- Direct-Reading Instrument. A device that provides real-time data on the presence and concentration of airborne contaminants, often used during worksite evaluations.
E
- Emergency Escape Respirator. A respirator intended to be used only for emergency exit from a contaminated area. Typically includes self-contained escape devices or hooded units.
- Emergency Response Plan. A written document required by OSHA that outlines procedures for dealing with sudden or unexpected respiratory hazard incidents, including chemical spills, gas leaks, or biological exposure.
- End-of-Service-Life Indicator (ESLI). A mechanism or indicator that warns the user when a respirator cartridge or canister is no longer effective. Required for some gas and vapor respirators.
- Escape-Only Respirator. A respirator intended only for use during emergency escape from hazardous environments. These include escape hoods and small self-contained units.
F
- Filter Efficiency. The percentage of particles a filter can remove from the air. For example, N95 filters out at least 95% of airborne particles of 0.3 microns or larger.
- Filtering Facepiece Respirator (FFR). A disposable, negative-pressure respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece (e.g., N95, P100). Often referred to as dust masks, but only considered respirators when NIOSH-certified.
- Full-Facepiece Respirator. A respirator that covers the eyes, nose, mouth, and chin to provide respiratory protection along with eye protection. Available as APRs or supplied-air models.
G
- Gas Detector. A device used to detect the presence and concentration of gases in the atmosphere, often used in confined space entries or during air quality monitoring.
H
- Half-Facepiece Respirator. A respirator that covers the nose and mouth, but not the eyes. Typically used with replaceable cartridges for gases, vapors, or particulates.
- Hazard Assessment. The process of identifying and evaluating workplace conditions and operations that may pose respiratory or other health risks. A required component of any respiratory protection program.
- Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). A toxic gas with a "rotten egg" odor at low concentrations. It can cause respiratory paralysis and death at high concentrations, particularly in confined spaces.
I
J
- Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). A method to identify, assess, and control hazards associated with specific job tasks, including respiratory risks and required protective measures.
K
- Ketones. Volatile organic compounds used in industrial solvents (e.g., acetone, methyl ethyl ketone) that can cause respiratory and nervous system effects. Require monitoring and proper respirator selection.
L
- Loose-Fitting Facepiece. A respirator facepiece that does not form a tight seal with the face. Used with PAPRs or airline systems and suitable for individuals who cannot pass a fit test or have facial hair.
- Lung Function Test. Also known as spirometry, this medical test evaluates the performance of the lungs and may be required before assigning a respirator to an employee under a medical evaluation program.
M
- Medical Evaluation. A required assessment to determine an employee's ability to use a respirator, performed by a physician or licensed healthcare professional before fit testing or use.
- Mist. Tiny liquid droplets suspended in air, produced by processes such as spraying or atomizing. Can contain hazardous substances requiring respiratory protection.
N
- Negative Pressure Respirator. A respirator where the air pressure inside the facepiece is lower than the outside air pressure during inhalation, requiring a good face seal for effective operation.
- NIOSH Respirator Classifications. A system used by NIOSH to rate filtering facepiece respirators:
- N-Series. Not resistant to oil (e.g., N95, N99, N100).
- R-Series. Resistant to oil (e.g., R95).
- P-Series. Oil-proof (e.g., P95, P100).
O
- Occupational Asthma. A form of asthma induced by workplace exposures to allergens or irritants such as isocyanates, wood dust, or metal fumes. Often requires both medical and environmental controls.
- Organic Vapor Cartridge. A respirator cartridge designed to remove organic vapors such as solvents, paints, and fuels from the air. Often color-coded black under NIOSH guidelines.
P
- Particulate. Any tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in air, including dust, mist, smoke, and fume. Respirators with appropriate filters are needed to protect against inhalation.
- Particulate Filter. A filter used in respirators to capture solid or liquid particles such as dust, mist, smoke, or biological contaminants. Available in 95, 99, and 100 percent efficiencies and different series (N, R, P).
- Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). OSHA's legally enforceable limit for exposure to a hazardous substance over an 8-hour workday or 40-hour workweek.
- Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR). A battery-operated respirator that uses a blower to force air through filters or cartridges, providing purified air to a facepiece, hood, or helmet. Suitable for extended use and high comfort needs.
Q
- Qualified Person. A person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing or by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work, or the project. Required in tasks involving respiratory hazards and engineering controls.
- Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT). A type of respirator fit test that uses an instrument to measure leakage into the respirator. Provides a numerical fit factor.
- Quantitative Risk Assessment. A process that uses data and models to estimate the likelihood and severity of adverse health effects from exposure to respiratory hazards. Often used in high-risk environments or for regulatory compliance.
R
- Respirable Dust. Dust particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, typically less than 10 microns in diameter. Often measured during exposure assessments.
- Respirator Approval Label. A label required by NIOSH that lists the respirator's approved configuration, assigned protection factors, and limitations. Found on the packaging or inside of the device.
S
- SARS-CoV-2. The virus responsible for COVID-19, a respiratory pathogen that led to widespread use of respiratory protection in healthcare and community settings.
- SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus). A type of atmosphere-supplying respirator that provides air from a compressed air cylinder worn by the user. Required in IDLH environments and used by firefighters and hazardous materials teams.
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). A respirator with its own air supply, used in IDLH conditions or emergency response. Provides the highest level of respiratory protection.
- Supplied-Air Hood. A loose-fitting head covering connected to a clean air source, typically used with SARs or PAPRs. Suitable for personnel with facial hair or where eye protection is also needed.
T
- Time-Weighted Average (TWA). The average exposure to a hazardous substance over a specified period, typically 8 hours. Used to assess compliance with exposure limits.
U
- Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI). A method of disinfection that uses UV light to kill airborne pathogens. Sometimes used as an engineering control in healthcare ventilation systems.
- Use Limitation. A restriction on how or when a particular respirator or component (such as a cartridge or filter) can be used, typically based on exposure type, concentration, duration, or environmental conditions. Must be consulted in the manufacturer's user instructions and NIOSH approval label.
V
- Vapor. The gaseous state of substances that are normally liquid or solid at room temperature, such as solvents or mercury. Vapors may require chemical cartridge respirators for adequate protection.
W
- Work Practice Controls. A subset of administrative controls that involve changes in the way a task is performed to reduce exposure, such as using wet methods to suppress dust.
X
- Xylene. A flammable solvent used in printing and rubber manufacturing that can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Inhalation of vapors may necessitate the use of organic vapor respirators.
Y
- Yield Strength (of protective materials). The stress at which a material begins to deform plastically. While more relevant to protective equipment such as barriers, it can relate to engineering controls like enclosures used to control respiratory hazards.