ed breathing apparatus) and certain health care workers (i.e., the high-efficiency particulate air filter respirators) (Hills, 1986, p. 36; Jarvis, Bolyard, Bozzi, Burwen, & Dooley et al., 1995, p. 142). Rather, this paper will focus on the industrial use of air-purifying respirators, atmosphere-supplying respirators, their regulation, and their problems.
The lungs' alveolocapillary membrane is a relatively vulnerable to environmental agents. This barrier allows many inhaled substances to rapidly gain access to the body. Consequently, respirators are necessary in American industry for protection against a variety of airborne substances (e.g., dust, fumes, and mist) (Hinds & Kraske, 1987, p. 836).
Whenever an employer chooses to supply its employees with respirators, it must also develop a "Respiratory Protection Program" (Glindmeyer & Hammad, 1988, pp. 921). As described by Cashman & Murray (1995), this program must comply with the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) hazard communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. This standard requires that employers provide Material Safety Data Sheets, label all containers, write out the program's standard operating procedures, and provide worker training. Such training must include instruction on the toxicity of all respiratory hazards, the reasons for wearing respirators, respirator use and maintenance, emergency procedures, and applicable regulations (Cashman & Murray, 1995, pp. 168-171). In addition, OSHA requires that employers ensure that their employees are physical capable of working with the protective equipment.
Cashman & Murray (1995) also delineates how employers must appoint a Program Director to oversee their Respiratory Protection Program. This director should serve as an authority on subject. They should be the person responsible for training and supervising workers, maintaining quality assurance data, purchasing equipment, and...