FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Release No. SPR-08-829-01   

Cinthia Minan, AIHA Distance Learning
(703) 846-0749; cminan@aiha.org

Melissa Hurley, AIHA Communications
(703) 846-0740; mhurley@aiha.org

AIHA Hosts Color Coding of Respirator Air-Purifying Elements TeleWeb

Presenters will discuss details of the NIOSH letter on color coding of respirator elements

FAIRFAX, VA (August 29, 2008) — The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) will host “Color Coding of Respirator Air-Purifying Elements: NIOSH Requirements and Limitations,” an intermediate TeleWeb Virtual Seminar on September 9, 2008, from 2–4:30 p.m. ET.

There has been some confusion regarding the color coding requirements, possibly because of the reference to an obsolete ANSI respirator standard and because of changes to the reference color standards used. This course will explain in detail the letter recently sent out by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on color coding of respirator elements. In addition, historical and international aspects of color coding respirator elements will provide some perspective.

This course will also review: (1) the regulations on maximum use concentrations for the listed contaminants for respirators incorporating these elements, and (2) how to calculate these numbers. Changes to NIOSH policies relating to the maximum use concentrations (MUCs) will be fully explained. Another area that has generated many questions is whether a respirator can be used for protection against multiple gases or vapors present at the same time and place. This subject will be discussed in detail to provide guidance on the proper use of respirators for these situations.

Featured speakers include Jay A. Parker, CIH, physical scientist, NIOSH/National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL), and William King, NIOSH/NPPTL. This course will explain the NIOSH regulations from Title 42 CFR Part 84 and other regulations and standards that govern:

• The color coding requirements for the elements on air-purifying respirators, including cartridges, canisters, and filters.
• The MUC for various types of respirators incorporating these elements.
• The use of elements approved for more than one contaminant in atmospheres that may contain more than one contaminant.

Attendees will be provided with tools to enable them to:

• Recognize the color coding system used for respirator elements.
• Calculate MUCs for air-purifying respirators.
• Know how and when to use air-purifying respirators for protection against multiple gases, vapors, and particulates.
• Quickly determine if workers are wearing the correct respirator they are assigned.

TeleWeb Virtual Seminars deliver cutting-edge educational content live via the Internet and telephone from the convenience of an attendee’s home or office; multiple attendees can participate for the cost of a single registration. Since TeleWebs debuted in 2000, more than 19,000 individuals have used this convenient and cost-effective format to further their education and careers. An archive copy of the TeleWeb will be available on CD for purchase.

To register for “Color Coding of Respirator Air-Purifying Elements: NIOSH Requirements and Limitations,” please call toll free at (800) 651-7916, or register online at http://www.aiha.org/Content/CE/DL/TeleWebColorCoding.htm. AIHA members who register by August 29, 2008, can attend the TeleWeb for $295, nonmembers for $325. After August 29, tuition will be an additional $100 for both members and nonmembers. Every site registered will receive materials that may be duplicated for each participant.
 
Please contact Cinthia Minan, AIHA’s distance learning coordinator, at (703) 846-0749 or cminan@aiha.org, with questions regarding TeleWeb Virtual Seminars or AIHA’s Distance Learning Program. For more information, including system requirements, please visit http://www.aiha.org/TeleWeb.htm.

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Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA’s 10,600 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government, and academia. For more information, go to www.aiha.org.