Respirator User Notices Address Certain Filter Cartridges, SCBAs

NIOSH recently alerted respirator users about two recent announcements regarding NIOSH-approved respirators. One user notice concerns variations in some filter cartridges from PIP Global Safety, and the other is a technical bulletin describing reports of an adapter dislodging from a facemask from CSE Corp.

A notice published on April 20 informs respirator users that PIP Global Safety has observed nonconforming product variations in certain lots of its 7583P100L and 7582P100L North filter cartridges, which filter external particulates and acid gas vapors. This prompted the company to conduct testing, which PIP says showed that a “minor amount of fine carbon particulate ‘dust’ can potentially escape from the cartridge during use.” PIP’s notice describes this “dust” as “non-harmful, but non-conforming,” and states that the filter cartridges continue to function as intended. The company has quarantined the affected lots, and a nonconforming respirator investigation, or NRI, will determine whether they can later be released for sale. NRIs are led by NIOSH and focus on finding the root causes of respirator issues, planning corrective actions, and confirming that issues have been resolved. Further information about options for those who use these filter cartridges from PIP can be found in the company’s notice to customers (PDF).

A technical bulletin published by CSE Corp. in April focuses on its BioPak 240R PRO PP facemask adapter interface and is intended for those who maintain or wear the BioPak 240R, which is a positive-pressure, closed-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus. CSE notes two confirmed reports of the PRO PP facemask adapter dislodging from the facemask during training exercises. The company cautions that users should not attempt to service facemasks in the field and states that facemasks found to have any issue should be removed from service. The bulletin (PDF) lists steps that users of these SCBAs should take to ensure their protection during training and emergencies.

These and other respirator user notices are collected on the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory website.