3M 8511 Particulate Respirator N95

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued precautions that should be used with regard to avian influenza viruses. The CDC has recommended an N95 series respirator for adequate protection against the Avian Bird Flu Virus.

• are normally used in atmospheres that contain hazards of both particulates and gases
• have both particulate filters and gas/vapor filters
• may be heavier

• are normally used when there are only hazardous gases and vapors in the air
• use chemical filters (called cartridges or canisters) to remove dangerous gases or vapors
• do not protect against airborne particles
• are made to protect against specific gases or vapors
• provide protection only as long as the filter's absorbing capacity is not depleted
• the service life of the filter depends upon many factors and can be estimated in various ways

ATMOSPHERE-SUPPLYING RESPIRATORS supply clean air directly to the user from a source other than the air surrounding the user.

Employers are required to provide employees using atmosphere-supplying respirators (supplied air and self contained breathing apparatus) with breathing gases of high purity, and shall ensure that compressed air, compressed oxygen, liquid air, and liquid oxygen used for respiration is in accordance with the specifications of OSHA Standard 1910.134(i).

• makes use of a hose to deliver clean, safe air from a stationary source of compressed air
• provides clean air for long periods of time and are light weight for the user
• limits the range of user-mobility and may fail due to hose damage
• also called airline respirators
• are normally used when there are extended work periods required in atmospheres that are not immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)

• have an auxiliary self-contained air supply that can be used if the primary supply fails
• the self-contained portion can be small since it only needs to supply enough air for escape
• can be used for entry into confined spaces
• are normally used when there are extended work periods required in atmospheres that are or may be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)

• consists of a wearable, clean-air supply pack
• do not restrict movement with a hose connection
• the closed-circuit type can provide air up to 4 hours
• the open-circuit type only provide air for 30 - 60 minutes
• are normally used when there is a short-time needed to enter and escape from atmospheres which are or may be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)

NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic 2004 DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2005-100

Provides a process that respirator program administrators can use to select appropriate respirators to protect workers in specific workplaces. Replaces the NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic (NIOSH Publication No. 87-108), and includes information on N-95 through P-100 particulate respirators.


Particulate Respirators and Avian Influenza…

Recent CDC infection control guidance documents provide recommendations that healthcare workers and other at-risk individuals protect themselves from diseases potentially spread through the air (such as Avian Influenza) by wearing a fit tested respirator at least as protective as a NIOSH-approved N-95 respirator.

An N-95 respirator is one of 9 types of disposable particulate respirators. Particulate respirators are also known as "air-purifying respirators" because they protect by filtering particles out of the air you breathe. Workers can wear any one of the particulate respirators for protection against diseases spread through the air- if they are NIOSH approved and if they have been properly fit tested and maintained. NIOSH-approved disposable respirators are marked with the manufacturer's name, the part number (P/N), the protection provided by the filter (e.g. N-95), and "NIOSH."


Select a type of disposable particulate respirator (filtering face piece) to view a list of manufacturers/suppliers and model numbers:



Type	Description
N95	Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil
N99	Filters at least 99% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil
N100	Filters at least 99.7% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil
R95	Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Somewhat resistant to oil
R99*	Filters at least 99% of airborne particles. Somewhat resistant to oil
R100*	Filters at least 99.7% of airborne particles. Somewhat resistant to oil
P95	Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil
P99*	Filters at least 99% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil
P100	Filters at least 99.7% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil

* No NIOSH approvals are held by this type of disposable particulate respirator.
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