NIOSH to Test Certified Respirators
The National Institute of Occupational Health and Saftety's (NIOSH)National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) at NIOSH recently announced it intent to test currently certified repirators to determine whether they protect wearers against nanoparticle inhalation. The NIOSH testing follows up on a University of Minnesota study pointing to the effecacy electrostatically charged filters in screening out nano-sized particles. NPPTL also intends to conduct tests to determine whether nanoparticles will penetrate approved personal protective clothing. Along with its announcement, NPPTL also noted that there are currently no specific exposure limits for nanoparticles, and that the decision to wear repirators is left to professional judgment.
Inside OSHA, November 13, 2006, Vol. 13 No.23.
