Features of 3M Filtering Facepiece Respirators
Workers in many industries require protection from airborne particles and mists. To meet
their needs, 3M offers a wide selection of NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators
to help match the right respirator to just about any task. Whether it’s sweeping, sanding,
grinding, sawing, bagging or welding, 3M provides a variety of innovative technologies
and features to help meet protection and comfort needs.
• lightweight and comfortable
• adjustable noseclips for custom seal
• variety of strap types and attachments
• some available with carbon filter material for nuisance level gas/vapor relief 1
• compatible with a variety of eye and hearing protection
The Importance of Comfort
To make sure a respirator provides protection, it must be worn during all periods of
exposure. Fortunately, 3M uses a variety of innovative technologies and features designed
to enhance user comfort and help increase wear time.
Disposable respirators are most effective when there is a good seal between the respirator
and your face. To obtain a good seal, always follow all directions provided with each
respirator model.
In general, for all respirator models, the respirator should be correctly
positioned on your face and head:
• Upper strap should be positioned on the crown of the head.
• Lower strap should be positioned below the ears.
• Noseclip should be completely molded to the shape
of the nose using two hands.
• Always conduct a user seal check.
• Follow the user and donning instructions for
the specific model.
3MTM Disposable Filtering Facepiece Respirators
Important
All 3M Filtering Facepieces are NIOSH-
approved respirators. Before using, you
must determine the following:
1. The types of contaminants for which
the respirator is being selected, and
exposure time.
2. The concentration level of the
contaminant(s). Do not use for
particle concentrations that
exceed 10 times the OSHA PEL or
applicable occupational exposure
limit, whichever is lower.
3. Whether the respirator can be properly
fitted to the wearer’s face. Do not
use with beards, or other conditions
that prevent a good seal between
the face and the sealing surface
of the respirator.
4. Before required use of
filtering facepiece
respirators, a written
respiratory protection
program must be
implemented, meeting all
the requirements of OSHA
29 CFR 1910.134 including
medical evaluation, training,
and fit testing.
Particulate filter types
NIOSH-approved filters are rated as
N95, R95, P95, N99, R99, P99, N100
(99.97%), R100 or P100. The number
95, 99, or 100 indicates the percent NIOSH
filtration efficiency.
1. 3M recommended for relief against
nuisance level acid gas or organic
vapors. Nuisance levels are
less than OSHA PEL or
applicable government
occupational exposure
limits, whichever is lower.
Used in particulate environments
free of oil aerosols.
N Series
Used for oil and non-oil particles
with time use limitations specified
by manufacturer.
P Series
Used for oil and non-oil particles
with time use limitations
specified by NIOSH.
R Series