Disposable respirators

I worked with a respiratory protection product whose manufacturer boasted that the space-age material was so pliable that their one size would fit every face. I am not going to comment on whether this truly was universal, but up until I stopped using these respirators, I had not been able to find anyone who could not pass a fit test with that brand respirator. Disposable ear plugs seem to be quite successful, and they are PPE that is basically one size fits all. Many items are adjustable for example, earmuff-type hearing protectors have adjustable arms that vary with the individual s head. In more recent times, many different models of safety glasses have adjustable temple sidepieces so that they can accommodate people with varying sizes of skulls. So, there may be cases where one size fits all, but for many types of commonly used PPE, having varied sizes to fit all of your team members is an excellent idea. 

Exposure limits for siHcon carbide and powders of zirconium compounds (including zirconium dioxide) have been estabHshed by ACGIH. TLV—TWA s are 10 mg/m and 5 mg/m, respectively. OSHA guidelines for zirconium compounds call for a PEL of 5 mg/m. There are no exposure limits for siHcon nitride powder, but pmdent practice suggests a TLV—TWA of 0.1 mg/m. The soHd ceramics present no apparent health hazard. In machining such ceramics, however, care should be taken to prevent inhalation of respirable particles in amounts in excess of estabHshed limits. Disposal should be in approved landfills the materials are inert and should pose no danger to the environment. 

Beneficiation faciUties require air and water pollution control systems, including efficient control of dust emissions, treatment of process water, and proper disposal of tailings (see AiRPOLLUTlON CONTROLMETHODS). In handling finished fluorspar, operators must avoid breathing fluorspar dust and contacting fluorspar with acids. Proper disposal of spills and the use of respirators and other personnel protective equipment must be observed. Contact with fluorspar may irritate the skin and eyes. 

Stripping of these compounds which can then be concentrated by adsorption on activated carbon for subsequent disposal. From a safety standpoint, if a volatile hazardous chemical is spilled, the concern over inhalation exposure may warrant the need for respirators. 

Chemical. Where severe chemical contamination is suspected, specific precautions must be followed if OSH A action levels are approached. Such instances rarely occur in LAQ investigations. One possible exception might be a pesticide spill in a confined space. In this case, an appropriate respirator and disposable coveralls may be needed. 

Asbestos An lAQ investigation often includes inspection above accessible ceilings, inside shafts, and around mechanical equipment. Where material suspected of containing asbestos is not only present, but also has deposited loose debris, the investigator should take appropriate precautions. This might include disposable coveralls and a properly fitted respirator. 

The shower area The shower area may have one or more showers where the worker, without clothes, takes a full body shower. It is in the shower that the worker would remove the respirator and place cartridges in a proper receptacle for disposal. The worker s respirator should be cleaned while in the shower area. 

Nigg and Stamper (1983) conducted potential exposure and actual exposure measurements during three weekdays over three consecutive weeks for applicators and mixer-loaders, one week using normal work clothes, the second week disposable coveralls in addition to their work clothes, and the third week disposable coveralls and NIOSH-approved respirators. In conjunction, urinary excretion of a metabolite of the active ingredient was... 

Dust masks, or particulate filter respirators, protect the respiratory system against any kind of inhaled particles. The simplest type, in the form of a cone-shaped fibrous filter that fits over the nose and mouth, is held in place by an elastic band around the back of the head. It is disposable, relatively comfortable to wear, and is useful when the dust is neither excessive nor toxic. It becomes readily clogged and should be discarded and replaced whenever breathing becomes restricted. Its use should not be carried over from day to day. 

Sometimes the risk of waste is estimated on the basis of nutrient cycling tests. As a rule such investigation is carried out for surface waste disposal or its land application. The carbon cycle is very sensitive to harmful compounds. Soil respiration is considered a useful indicator of the contaminants effects on soil microbial activity [56-59]. The production of carbon dioxide can be followed as short-term and long-term respiration tests. 

During the removal of asbestos-containing material, workers should wear approved respirators appropriate for the specific asbestos activity. Workers should also wear gloves, hats, and other protective clothing. The contractor should properly dispose of all of this equipment (along with the asbestos material) immediately after using it. 

To prevent contact with formamide. an approved organic vapor respirator, a face shield, goggles, coveralls, and Other protective clothing should be worn as necessary. Spilled material must he disposed of in accordance with local, stale, and federal regulations. 

Wear nitrile rubber gloves, eye protection, self-contained respirator, and laboratory coat (after each wearing, launder clothing separately). Scoop up and place in large wide-mouth bottle with stopper. Save for recovery or disposal. Wash site with soap solution.6... 

Wear nitrile rubber gloves, eye protection or all-purpose canister respirator, and laboratory coat. Cover spill with a 1 1 1 mixture by weight of sodium carbonate or calcium carbonate, clay cat litter (bentonite), and sand. Scoop the mixture into an appropriately labeled container for disposal by burning (see Waste Disposal).2,5... 

Small Quantities. Wear nitrile rubber gloves, eye protection, laboratory coat, and respirator (or work in hood). The selenium salt is dissolved in water and the solution is neutralized by the addition of 1 M NaOH (prepared by dissolving 4 g of NaOH in 100 mL of water) or 1 M sulfuric acid (prepared by cautiously adding 5 mL of concentrated acid to 85 mL of cold water). A 1 M solution of sodium sulfide (prepared by dissolving 7.8 g of Na2S in 100 mL of water) is added to the selenium salt solution and the pH is again adjusted to neutral with 1 M sulfuric acid solution. The precipitate is separated by filtration or decantation. Wash, dry, and recycle or send for disposal in a secure landfill.1 ... 

Protect yourself. Wear gloves rated to be chemical proof, safety glasses, and a plastic apron. Use a disposable face mask or respirator when mixing chemicals or if you have had any previous allergic reaction. If you have any type of reaction, consult a physician immediately and suspend work with all photographic processes. 

A chemist is summoned to an abandoned waste-disposal site to determine the contents of a leaking, corroded barrel. The barrel reeks of an overpowering fishy odor. The chemist dons a respirator to approach the barrel and collect a sample, which she takes to her laboratory for analysis. 

In recent years newly invented detection devices have enabled scientists to investigate the minute quantities of materials that are involved in our metabolic processes. The super oxide anion (Op is one of the enemies of the cells of our bodies. It is generated as a by-product of respiration with oxygen and is also made by specially activated white blood cells. In normal healthy people the body has its own way of disposing of these ions using of an enzyme called super oxide... 

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