COVID-19 & RESPIRATORS

Due to the COVID – 19/Coronavirus pandemic Respirators will likely be in short supply, especially early in the next several months. EPA has indicated that label PPE requirements will remain as the legal requirement for pesticide applicators. Always follow the pesticide label instructions.

An infographic has been developed to help applicators determine if their needs for respiratory protection and regulatory compliance are being met. If you answer YES to a question, follow the green arrow; if you answer NO to a question, follow the red arrow.

Respirator Infographic - Decision Making Tree SPANISH - Respirator Infographic - Decision Making Tree

RESPIRATORS

A respirator is a personal protective device that is worn on the face, covers at least the nose and mouth, and is used to reduce the wearer’s risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles (including dust particles and infectious agents), and/or gases or vapors. These are often required apparatus for those who mix and load or apply pesticides. EPA requires that pesticide manufacturers determine and specify respiratory protection according to the anticipated hazards and risk of inhalation. Manufacturers provide requirements for respiratory protection on the pesticide label that are product- and task-specific. The pesticide label is a legal document, and states whether you must use a respirator and, if so, which type. Read and follow the product label for respirator requirements since specific pesticides may have different formulations and use directions.

View educational publications in the NPSEC online store.

Rutgers’ Respiratory Protection for Occupational Users of Pesticides
PERC Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Respiratory Protection Guide

Educational Publications

RESPIRATOR LINKS

CDC Center for Disease Control

Counterfeit Respirators: How to spot counterfeit respirators that ARE NOT NIOSH approved.

Agri Safe

EPA Memorandum

June 1, 2020 Statement Regarding Respiratory Protection Shortages

Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Respirator Resources

NIOSH Respirator Information

California Department of Pesticide Regulation Information

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Tips For Agriculture Pesticide Applicators: Operating Safely During COVID-19

Searching For Alternatives Pesticides That Do Not Require Respiratory Protection

CDMS Label Database
Primairly agricultural crops.
Advance search allow pest specific search to narrow the search of products.

Greenbook
Primairly agricultural production chemicals, over 10,000 products listed.
Using the search tool, type “pesticides that do not require respirator” and it narrows the search of products.

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)
Organic Pesticides only.
Includes pesticides for crops, livestock, and processing and handling products.

USDA Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Database
Agticultural crops searchable by common pests by crop, and a variety of pest management options.