v°xEPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Design for the Environment, Auto Refinishing Shop Project
EPA 744-F-00-007
November 1999, Revised June 2000
SUPPLIED-AIR RESPIRA TORS IN A UTO SHOPS: Get the Best
Protection
Should painters wear supplied-air respirators
when spraying?
Yes! It is particularly important to a painter's
health to wear supplied-air respirators when spraying
paints containing highly toxic chemicals such as
isocyanates. In fact, paint manufacturers recommend
that painters wear supplied-air respirators to ensure
adequate protection from isocyanate-containing paints.
Chemical-protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection
are also essential safety equipment for painters.
Note, this guide provides insights into some of
the respiratory protection equipment presently available
that may be used by auto refinishers. It is not intended
to be used as a respirator selection guide.
WARNING:
Isocyanates—a major ingredient in clear coats
and many primers—present serious health
risks, including asthma, allergic lung and skin
reactions, and chronic lung disease. They have
even caused painter deaths from asthma
reactions.
Photo courtesy of SAT A.
Do air-purifying respirators provide painters adequate protection?
Often no. Although air-purifying respirators or cartridge respirators provide a certain level of protection,
supplied-air respirators typically offer greater protection against inhaling toxic chemicals. Further, if cartridges
are not changed regularly or not maintained properly, an air-purifying respirator may provide little, if any,
protection. Until paints are formulated without toxic chemicals, supplied-air respirators usually offer the best
form of respiratory protection.
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Are supplied-air respirators more expensive than air-purifying respirators?
Not necessarily. Some auto refmishing shops have found that the overall cost of a supplied-air
respirator system—including initial purchase, installation, and maintenance—is comparable to, or less
than, the overall cost of air-purifying
respirators, with the continuing expense for
organic vapor replacement cartridges.
Do supplied-air respirators present
challenges to auto refinishing shop
workers?
Perhaps, but the health benefits of
supplied-air systems make the challenges, such
as convenience and up-front cost, worth
overcoming. Painters have found supplied-air
systems that are comfortable, do not hamper
visibility, and are easy to put on and take off.
Some of the newer models quickly convert to
air-purifying respirators for non-spraying
activities; others are even air-conditioned!
More and more painters are opting for the
greater protection of supplied-air
respirators—the key is finding the system
that's right for you.
Picture courtesy ofH.D. Bullard Company
How can I get more information on supplied-air respirators?
(1) Talk to painters who use supplied-air systems for first-hand accounts.
(2) Call your paint supplier, your equipment supplier, or a respirator manufacturer to learn about
the variety of available respirators. Some of these companies might even offer free
demonstrations of their products at your shop.
(3) Consult with Mary Cushmac (202-260-4443, cushmac.mary@epa.gov) or David DiFiore
(202-260-3374, difiore.david@,epa.gov) of the DfE Project Team.
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The mention or illustration of any product or company does not constitute an endorsement by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
THEDESIGNFOR THE ENVIRONMENT AUTO REFINISHING SHOP PROJECT'S GOAL is TO WORK WITH AUTO
REFINISHERS TO IDENTIFY AND ADOPT SAFER, CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES.
www.epa.gov/dfe/autobody/autobody.html
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