Respiratory Protection for Wildfire Smoke Inhalation–California

This blog article was originally published in September 2021 by 3M and can be viewed here https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1723235O/respiratory-protection-for-wildfire-smoke-inhalation.pdf. It is republished with permission on June 1, 2022.

The California Department of Industrial Relations’ Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) has adopted a regulation requiring employers to provide respiratory protection to all employees working outside for longer than one hour when the air quality index (AQI) reaches 151 or greater.

Where can I find AQI information?

The United States AirNow system contains current AQI data, which includes a clickable map for area-specific AQIs. Local resources, such as the California Air Resources Board, local air pollution control district websites, or local air quality management district website may also be helpful. A direct-reading particulate monitor that meets all requirements of Appendix A of the California Code of Regulation Title 8 section 5141.1 may also be used to determine the AQI.

What does it mean for you?

When the AQI reaches levels between 151 and 500:

According to the regulation, which is enforced by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), employers shall provide respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), such as the NIOSH-approved 3M™ Particulate Respirator 8210 N95 filtering facepiece, for voluntary use in accordance with Section 5144 to help protect the worker from inhalation of PM_2.5. Employers are required to provide training that covers the information contained in Appendix B of Section 5141.1, which includes training on proper donning, use, storage, and maintenance of respirators. If the respirators provided are filtering facepiece respirators (such as the NIOSH-approved 3M model listed above), then fit testing and medical evaluations are not required under the regulation.

When the AQI reaches levels between 501 and above:

Respirator use is required in accordance with Section 5144. The employer shall provide respirators, and employee use is mandatory. The employer shall maintain a fully compliant respiratory protection program—including medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and record keeping for all employees and all types of respirators. Specifically, the employer shall provide respirators with an appropriate assigned protection factor (APF), as listed in Section 5144, such that the PM_2.5 levels inside the respirator correspond to an AQI less than 151.

AQI Categories for PM2.5

Why is this important? What risks are associated with inhaling wildfire smoke?

Although there can be many hazardous chemicals and other constituents in wildfire smoke, one of the most significant pollutants for people who are not very close to the fire is “particulate matter,” the tiny particles suspended in the air. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, PM_2.5 can be easily, and often unknowingly, inhaled—and due to the small particle size, it can travel deep into the respiratory tract, potentially irritating the lungs and being accompanied by persistent coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. These small particles can also enter the bloodstream from the lungs and have been associated with more serious long-term health problems such as reduced lung function, bronchitis, worsening of asthma, heart failure, and early death.

What about employees in states other than California?

Although this regulation applies to California, employers in other states may choose to use this standard as a “best practice” and decide to help protect their employees similarly. Employers should follow the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134, or the Respiratory Protection standard in their state.

How 3M can help?

3M provides a variety of NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepieces that can be used to help comply with this regulation.

Other 3M Resources

Center for Respiratory Protection Program
If you are implementing a respiratory protection program for the first time, or would like more information on programs, consider visiting 3M’s Center for Respiratory Protection for a step-by-step guide.

Medical Evaluations
The 3M™ Online Respirator Medical Evaluation provides immediate medical evaluation of respirator wearers for compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134. It can be used for all brands of respirators and is available in English and Spanish.

Fit Testing
3M™ Qualitative Fit Test kits are designed to help your organization meet respirator fit testing requirements. The kits can be used to check face-to-respirator seal on any particulate respirator or gas/vapor respirator with a particulate prefilter. A free instructional video on Qualitative Fit Testing using saccharin and Bitrex™ can be found on 3M's YouTube channel.

For more information, please consult the 3M Personal Safety Division’s wildfire resource webpage.

This blog article was originally published in September 2021 by 3M and can be viewed here https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1723235O/respiratory-protection-for-wildfire-smoke-inhalation.pdf. It is republished with permission on June 1, 2022.