3-History of NIOSH's Recommended APFs.
Prior to this evaluation, NIOSH has published recommended APFS (RAPFs) in the Institute's Respirator Decision Logic (RDL). The Institute's 1976 RAPFs for air-purifying devices are given in Tables E and F of this evaluation.[1] The Institute's 1987 RAPFS for air-purifying devices are given in Tables J and K of this evaluation.[2] The NIOSH RDL with its necessary RAPF tables, has always been nonregulatory in nature. It contains scientific evaluations, information, and recommendations for employers, respirator purchasers, and users for their consideration when selecting and using respirators.
The Institute's Respirator Decision Logic and RAPF recommendations are similar
in nature to respirator recommendations in the 1986 EPA/NIOSH respiratory pro-
tection guide for asbestos. 16 In 1988, this guide was ruled to be advisory only. 17
The NIOSH RDL and its RAPFs are without binding effect, have not changed law or
regulatory policy, have not affected the agencies' own certifications under 30 CFR
Part 11, nor have they altered anyone's obligations or duties.
Respirator purchasers and users and employers of users should note that the
RAPFS published in this evaluation constitute NIOSH's most current recommended
APFs. As such they supersede certain previous NIOSH RAPFs published in the
Institute's 1987 RDL.18
Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: A
Guide to Respiratory Protection for the Asbestos Abatement Industry, EPA-560-OPTS-86-001, Washing.
ton, D.C. (April 1986).
"Industrial Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) v. E.P.A., 837 F.2d 1115 (D.C. Cir. 1988).
18NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication # 87-108, Cincinnati, OH (May, 1987),
Tables 1-3, pp. 2-4, 13-18, and 27-29.
