Disposable filtering face piece respirators (FFR), more commonly called dust masks, are the respiratory protection most used by employees in the workplace. Disposable FFRs are not intended for repeated or extensive use; yet, for reasons of expense, convenience, and supply, they often are. At what point does a disposal FFR begin to fail to protect the worker wearing it? The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has studied the issue and offers several guidelines.
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When Reuse Is Safe
NIOSH states that it is not always necessary to dispose of the FFR the first time it is removed. In most workplace situations, an FFR can be reused as part of an employer’s respiratory protection program. Safe FFR reuse is affected by a number of variables that impact respirator function and contamination over time, says NIOSH. Unless the respirator manufacturer identifies a specified duration of use—for example, single use only, or the employer’s respiratory protection program excludes reuse—users can wear an FFR until it is damaged, soiled, or causing noticeably increased breathing resistance.
Single-Wearer Only
However, there are limitations for reuse. Perhaps most importantly, the FFR should be used and reused only by the same wearer. Also, between uses, the FFR should be stored in a way that protects it from damage, dust, contamination, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals. In addition, since most disposable FFRs do not have solid frames, they should be stored in ways that prevent deformation of the face piece, straps, and exhalation valve, if present.
Generally, reuse must stop at the point when the FFR begins to lose its protective qualities.
Dust Levels
But deciding when to stop using an FFR may not be simple. NIOSH notes that there is “no way of determining the maximum possible number of safe respirator reuses as a generic number to be applied in all cases.” Assuming that the FFR retains its physical integrity, the decision on when to continue or discontinue using an FFR should be based on a number of factors. According to NIOSH:
- Continuous FFR use—that is, use without removal—of several hours or more is common in many industries. In general, an employee can safely wear the same FFR until it is damaged, soiled, or causing noticeably increased breathing resistance.
- The maximum length of continuous use in nondusty workplaces is typically dictated by hygienic concerns (e.g., the respirator was discarded because it became contaminated) or practical considerations that call for automatic removal (e.g., need to use the restroom, meal breaks), rather than a predetermined number of hours.
- In dusty workplaces that could result in high filter loading (e.g., 200 milligrams (mg) of material captured by the filter), service time for N-series filters (such as the commonly used N95) should be limited to 8 hours of use (continuous or intermittent).
- FFRs should not be reused in biosafety and animal biosafety levels 2 and 3 laboratories. Pathogens can remain on the respirator surface for extended periods of time and can potentially be transferred by touch to the wearer’s hands and, thus, risk causing infection through subsequent touching of the mucous membranes of the face (i.e., self-inoculation).
“The key consideration for safe extended use is that the respirator must maintain its fit and function,” states NIOSH.
A NIOSH FAQ on FFRs is at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2018-128/pdfs/2018-128.pdf.