Use of older approved particulate respirator inventories

May 5, 1997
Mr. David Koch
Senior Technical Specialist
Willson Safety
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Koch:
This is in response to your letter of April 8, addressed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), concerning the use after July 10, 1998, of particulate filters and respirators approved under 30 CFR 11.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has determined that effective July 10, 1998, particulate filters and respirators approved under 30 CFR 11 can no longer be manufactured and shipped as NIOSH/Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) approved items. You are inquiring about the treatment of the inventories distributors and end-users hold after July 9, 1998, of particulate filters and respirators approved under 30 CFR 11 that were manufactured and shipped prior to July 10, 1998.
As you requested this letter verifies that (1) distributors who will have purchased 30 CFR 11 particulate filters and respirators prior to July 10, 1998, will be able to sell them as approved until inventories of these products are depleted; and (2) endusers who will have purchased said particulate filters and respirators from these distributors will be able to use them until their inventories of them are depleted, or until the shelf life or service life for the products expires.
We appreciate the opportunity to clarify this matter for you. Should you have further questions, please contact the Office Of Health Compliance Assistance, at (202) 219-8036.
Sincerely,
John B. Miles, Jr., Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]