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WORKING DRAFT 9.15.92—Performance Evaluation of DM and DFM Filter Respirators
69

Regarding this QLFT, NIOSH cautioned in 1976:

This test can be used for both air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying respirators, but an air-purifying respirator must have a high-efficiency filter(s).[1]

Similarly, the 1980 ANSI-recommended procedures for aerosol QNFTs permitted the use of HEPA filters on the tested masks. 197 The 1980 ANSI-recommended protocol for irritant-smoke QLFT cautioned:

When an air-purifying respirator is tested, it should be equipped with a high-efficiency fil- ter. 198 Another example is a QLFT based on a saccharin-water aerosol, which was intro- duced in the early 1980s. 199 OSHA permitted its use to comply with fit-testing re- quirements in the lead standard. 200 The following background information has been provided to NIOSH regarding this test: This test was designed and developed in the late 1970's and early 1980's as a validated qualita- tive fit test to be used with respirators with dust/mist filters. The test was developed because up to that time there was no fit test, qualitative or quantitative suitable for use with respirators with dust and mist filters. The quantitative fit tests then available were not suitable because the filter efficiency of this type of respirator filter would allow 10 to more than 20 percent of the test agent to pass through the filter masking any attempt to quantify the test aerosol that was passing through faceseal leakag es. The qualitative fit tests available were also not suitable because they were either too small of a particle, such as irritant smoke, or a vapor, such as isoamyl acetate. 201


American National Standards Institute, Inc.: American National Standard Practices for Respiratory Protection, ANSI Z88.2-1980, New York, New York, (1980), p. 34. 198Tbid., p. 33. 1903M Company: Comment of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company with Respect to the Permanent Lead Standard Quantitative Fit Test Provision, OSHA Docket No. H-049A, Exhibit 6-16, (July 1, 1981). 20029 CFR 1910.125(f)(3) and Appendix D. 201 Wilmes, D. P.: Letter to R. W. Niemeier of NIOSH from the 3M Occupational Health and Environ-

mental Safety Division, 3M Company, St. Paul, MN (May 17, 1991), p. 1.

  1. ↑ NIOSH: A Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection, DHEW(NIOSH) Publication # 76-189, Cincinnati, OH, (June 1976), p. 70.
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