overview

NIOSH issued a report on the health effects of occupational exposure to asphalt. Their current findings support a 1977 report, which concluded that asphalt fumes can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and also cause lower respiratory tract symptoms. NIOSH makes various recommendations to minimize exposure to this contaminant including the use of respiratory protection. Besides respiratory protection NIOSH recommends that exposure limits be complied with (NIOSH has a recommended exposure limit of 5 milligrams of asphalt per cubic meter of air over any 15-minute period) prevention of skin exposure, minimizing the application temperature of the asphalt, and engineering controls.

COMMON USES

Paving
Roofing
Asphalt-based paint formulations

Moldex^® Solution

An 8100 with any R or P prefilter. Under certain conditions where there is only a dust hazard and the asphalt is not being heated, an R or P95 disposable respirator may be acceptable.

Reference

Bureau of National Affairs Occupational Health and Safety Reporter, Vol.31, No.3 page 44. (January 18, 2001)
Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Asphalt DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No.2001-110.

WARNING: The information contained in this Tech Brief is dated and was accurate to the best of Moldex's knowledge, on the date above. It is not meant to be comprehensive, nor is it intended to be used in place of the warning/use instructions that accompany Moldex respirators. Outside of the USA, check with all applicable and local government regulations.

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