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.
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
RESPIRATOR LINKS
CDC Center for Disease Control
Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Respirator Resources
NIOSH Respirator Information
- Counterfeit Respirators / Misrepresentation of NIOSH-Approval
- Understanding The Differences
- Respirator Filtering Classes
- What Are Air Purifying Respirators
- Key Factors For Respirator To Be Effective
- Important Steps For Using NIOSH N95 Filtering Face Pieces
- Hierarchy of Controls
- UMASH Respirator Q & A Toolkit
California Department of Pesticide Regulation Information
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
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.
Contact NPSEC
National Pesticide Safety Education Center
PO Box 37220
Raleigh, NC 27627