Respiratory Safety 131

air pressure

The force that air exerts due to its motion. Respirators may have positive or negative air pressure, making the air they hold heavier or lighter than ambient air.

air-purifying respirator

A respirator with a filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific contaminants from the air. Air-purifying respirators pass ambient air through the air-purifying element.

ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter

A type of quantitative test. An ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter measures the number of tiny solid or liquid particles in the atmosphere.

ambient air

Air that is particular to a specific environment. Ambient air may contain chemicals that are hazardous for employees to inhale.

asbestos

A fibrous, heat-resistant, naturally-occurring mineral once widely used for various purposes, most notably insulation. Asbestos is known to cause respiratory issues and deadly diseases.

assigned protection factor

APF. The workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator is expected to provide to wearers. APF protection levels vary based on the hazards present in the environment.

atmosphere-supplying respirators

A breathing device that supplies the wearer with clean air. Atmosphere-supplying respirators supply this air to users from a source that is fully separate from ambient air.

atmospheric testing

Measurement of the content of the environment using electronic equipment. Atmospheric testing is used to detect the presence of gases.

canisters

A container, also known as a cartridge, that holds filters, absorbent materials, chemical substances, or a combination of these things. Canisters and their contents remove specific contaminants from the air as it passes through them.

cartridges

A container, also known as a canister, that holds filters, absorbent materials, chemical substances, or a combination of these items. Cartridges and their contents remove specific contaminants from the air as it passes through the containers.

chamber

An enclosed space. In fit testing, a chamber may be a room or a temporary enclosure made of plastic.

change schedule

A method of tracking the service life of respirator components. A change schedule should be instituted by an employer.

confined spaces

An area with limited means of entry or exit that is large enough for an employee to enter and perform work. To safely work in a confined space, atmospheric testing may be required to identify hazards.

contaminants

Any substance that poses a safety risk or disturbs a manufacturing process. Working around contaminants requires employees to wear proper respiratory protection.

controlled negative pressure test

CNP. A quantitative fit test that starts with negative air pressure and uses a constant, equal amount of air flow in and out of the mask. A CNP test measures leakage into the mask.

denatonium benzoate

The most bitter-tasting substance known to humans. Denatonium benzoate is used in qualitative fit testing.

end of service life

ESL. The point at which a respirator is no longer providing adequate protection. ESL occurs when the air-purifying element, such as a cartridge, has become saturated with contaminants.

end-of-service-life indicators

ESLI. Signs that a respirator is no longer providing adequate protection. ESLIs may include changes in the appearance of the respirator, specific alarms, or integral device components activated by respirator deterioration.

engineering controls

Steps taken by an administrator to reduce hazards and safety risks before they reach employees. Engineering controls can include switching to non-hazardous chemicals or enclosing a process to prevent the release of fumes.

exhalation valve

A component of a respirator that allows the wearer to push air out of the mask without letting any ambient air back in. Exhalation valves preserve the safety of the mask wearer.

exposure

Contact with hazardous materials through inhalation or touching of the skin or mucous membranes. When exposure may occur, employees must use PPE and other precautions.

exposure limits

The maximum amount or concentration of a hazard that can be present or that a worker may experience without causing a health hazard. Exposure limits vary based on the specific hazard.

fit testing

Evaluating the way in which a respirator fits its wearer. The three forms of fit testing are general, qualitative, and quantitative.

gas

A fluid phase of matter characterized by the tendency to flow and to expand indefinitely. Gas can be hazardous and undetectable by the five senses.

general fit testing

Assessing the suitability of a respirator to assure that the facemask will stay tight. Assessments are conducted in various positions and conditions.

generated aerosol fit test

A type of quantitative fit test. Generated aerosol fit tests measure the number of tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere.

hazardous breathing environment

Air that is contaminated with dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors. Employees must wear respirators when working in hazardous breathing environments.

IDLH

Immediately dangerous to life or health. Atmospheres that are capable of causing death, irreversible adverse health effects, or the impairment of an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. IDLH environments are classified as such if they lack oxygen or have unknown contents.

immediately dangerous to life and health

IDLH. Atmospheres that are capable of causing death, irreversible adverse health effects, or the impairment of an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. IDLH environments are classified as such if they lack oxygen or have unknown contents.

isoamyl acetate

A chemical known for its banana-like odor. Isoamyl acetate is used in qualitative fit testing.

mist

A suspension of microscopic liquid particles of various sizes in the air. The spray of metal cutting fluids often produces mist.

musculoskeletal

Muscles, joints, bones, and related structures. The musculoskeletal system is studied in a medical evaluation required by OSHA to issue breathing equipment.

negative pressure respirator

A respirator in which the air pressure inside the facemask is lower than the ambient air pressure when the wearer inhales the air. A negative pressure respirator requires fit testing to ensure user safety.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA. A government agency that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. OSHA helps employers reduce injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace.

odor threshold screening

An assessment of the subject's ability to detect the scent of a substance prior to putting on a respirator. Odor threshold screenings require employees to sniff isoamyl acetate.

OSHA

Occupational safety and health administration. A government agency that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. OSHA helps employers reduce injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace.

positive pressure respirator

A respirator in which the air pressure inside the respirator inlet covering exceeds the ambient air pressure outside the respirator. A positive pressure respirator requires fit testing to ensure user safety.

powered air-purifying respirator

PAPR. An air-purifying respirator that depends on an external power source to provide clean air to the user. PAPRs use a fan to send air through cartridges to clear it of contamination.

pulmonary diseases

Illnesses where the lungs and respiratory system are affected. Emphysema is a pulmonary disease.

qualitative fit test

QLFT. A pass or fail assessment of the adequacy of a respirator. A QLFT determines whether or not someone can detect the scents, flavors, or negative effects of an airborne substance.

quantitative fit test

QNFT. An assessment of the adequacy of respirator fit that uses numerical measurement of the amount of leakage into the respirator. QNFTs use a probe inside the facemask.

respirators

Breathing devices worn to prevent inhalation of hazardous substances. Respirators may purify air or supply air for the wearer.

respiratory protection

A form of personal protective equipment that protects the wearer from hazards present in the air. Respirators are a common type of breathing protection.

respiratory protection program

A permanent written program that contains work-specific procedures for using respirators. Respiratory protection programs are required by OSHA.

respiratory protection program administrator

An individual who oversees the use of breathing equipment and implements the written respiratory protection program in the workplace. A respiratory protection program administrator must be fully trained in the use of respirators.

saccharine

An artificial sweetener. Saccharine is used in qualitative fit testing.

safety data sheet

SDS. Mandatory information that must accompany almost every chemical in the workplace except for items like cleaning supplies. An SDS includes details such as the precautions and first aid procedures associated with exposure to a chemical.

self-contained breathing apparatus

SCBA. An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the air source is carried by its user during short-term exposure or when an environment is IDLH or potentially IDLH. An SCBA wearer must be capable of carrying the weight of an air tank.

stannic chloride

A colorless liquid chemical that fumes upon contact with air and creates smoke. Stannic chloride is used in qualitative fit testing.

supplied-air respirator

SAR. A breathing device that consists of a face mask with a long hose that connects to a stationary tank of compressed air. Also called airline respirators, SARs are used when employees must spend long periods in low-oxygen atmospheres.

taste threshold screening

An assessment of the subject's ability to detect the taste of a substance prior to putting on a respirator. Taste threshold screenings use saccharine and denatonium benzoate.