Personal protective equipment Respiratory protection

NIOSH alert: Some SCBAs need to be re-tested

January 7, 2014
Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center's Test Laboratory Chemical warfare agents NIOSH Respirator safety Respirator use Respirators Self-contained breathing apparatus

Washington – Some approved self-contained breathing apparatus may not meet national standards for protecting users from chemical warfare agents, according to a Nov. 27 notice from NIOSH.

The notice applies to SCBAs tested between July 2012 and October 2013. NIOSH said the Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center’s Test Laboratory, which conducted the testing, did not use the correct concentration of chemical warfare agents. As a result, the respirators should be re-tested before being used against chemical warfare agents.

Manufacturers have been directed to notify customers and stop labeling the respirators as approved.