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. ------- 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. Design for {fcfavironmenf op Projfict 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 ------- |