ANSI Z88.2 (1992): Practices for Respiratory Protection

Abstract

This article outlines changes to the ANSI Z88.2 standard for respiratory protection, which incorporates the latest information on the performance of respirators. Several major changes have been made in the standard since its last revision in 1980, such as revision of the list of assigned protection factors and changes in the requirements for breathing air, either from the immediate environment or from air supplies. The sections of the 1980 standard regarding written procedures and records have been rewritten to clarify their content. New material includes a selection guide, guidance for the testing of breathing air supplies, and a requirement to fit test atmosphere-supplying respirators. The assigned protection factors listed in the standard incorporate information generated by a number of studies on respirator performance that have been made in the last decade, including both workplace and laboratory studies. The revised standard clarifies the requirements for assuring that adequate breathing supplies ar...