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Respiratory Protection Recommendations for Airborne Exposures to Crystalline Silica

 

July 2008
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2008-140
Respiratory Protection Recommendations for Airborne Exposures to Crystalline Silica

This document describes the NIOSH policy for respiratory protection against airborne exposures to crystalline silica.

NIOSH recommends the use of half-facepiece particulate respirators with N95 or better filters for airborne exposures to crystalline silica at concentrations less than or equal to 0.5 milligrams per cubic meter of air (mg/m3). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also specifies the use of at least a 95-rated filter efficiency [29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134]. The recommendation for a 95-rated filter efficiency reflects the improved filter efficiency of N95 filters over the earlier dust and mist (DM) filters.

Respiratory Protection Recommendations for Airborne Exposures to Crystalline Silica [PDF – 103.34 KB]