Making Sure You Have the Right Respirators

Click here for a document from 3M comparing filtering facepiece respirators (disposable respirators).

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has also compiled a list of approved respirators, and has updated its guidance on identifying counterfeit respirators.

Signs that a respirator may be counterfeit:
• No markings at all on the filtering facepiece respirator
• No approval (TC) number on filtering facepiece respirator or headband
• No NIOSH markings • NIOSH spelled incorrectly
• Presence of decorative fabric or other decorative add-ons (e.g., sequins)
• Claims for the of approval for children (NIOSH does not approve any type of respiratory protection for children)
• Filtering facepiece respirator has ear loops instead of headbands

On another respirator note, OSHA recently published a new set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on how N95 respirators protect the wearer from COVID-19 exposure. "OSHA is aware of incorrect claims stating that N95 respirators' filter does not capture particles as small as the virus that causes the coronavirus," the agency said. "OSHA's new FAQ explains why an N95 respirator is effective at protecting users from the virus."