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Respirators are usually the least effective method of controlling exposures, and they should be used only as a last resort.
For diesel exhaust, a combination air-purifying respirator that protects against acid gases, organic vapors, and particulates
should be used.
It is not enough for your employer to toss you a respirator and tell you to go to work. Respirators must be specific to the
hazard, and fitted, cleaned, stored, inspected, and maintained in accordance with OSHA1s respirator standard (see the
AFSCME Fact Sheet on Respirators). In addition, you must be trained on how to use a respirator properly, and receive a
medical exam to assure, that you are physically fit to wear a respirator.
Prevent skin contact with diesel exhaust by wearing protective clothing (gloves, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and face
and eye protection) if necessary.
OSHA Standards
There is no OSHA standard for diesel exhaust. However, OSHA does have workplace exposure limits.tor individual
components of diesel exhaust, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, benzene, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide,
acrolein, and formaldehyde.
In addition, OSHA has a standard for IInuisancell dust that is applicable to the soot in diesel exhaust. The standard limits
"respirablell dust exposures (particles that are small enough to lodge in the lung) to 5 milligrams per cubic meter of air (5
mg/m3) averaged over eight hours.
Because diesel exhaust has been shown to cause cancer, NIOSH recommends that diesel exhaust exposures be reduced
to the lowest feasible limits.