NIOSH Safety Notifications for Respirator Equipment

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) has posted 2 user notices that may impact certain respirators used by fire and emergency medical services providers.

3M Scott SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) Air-Pak models

The NPPTL issued a May 2022 notice PDF for 3M Scott SCBA Air-Pak models manufactured between Nov. 1, 2019 and April 12, 2022. 3M Scott has received reports on the Air-Pak X3, Air-Pak X3 Pro and X3-21 Pro models referencing the primary and/or secondary reducing valves missing certain high pressure air filters. If filters are missing from the reducer, the potential exists that the user could experience a leak at the reducer seat retainer.

This notice details the models impacted and actions you should take to ensure your SCBA contain the proper filters.

AirBoss Defense Group (ADG) FlexAir powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs)

The NPPTL issued a June 2022 notice PDF for ADG FlexAirPAPRs. From April to July 2020, ADG supplied FlexAir PAPRs to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for pandemic response. To meet the scale and pace of this requirement, the ADG contract with FEMA did not require the equipment to have NIOSH certification. In preparation for the end of the COVID Public Health Emergency, any remaining units supplied for use in occupational settings under this contract should either be retrofitted for continued use as a NIOSH-approved respirator or taken out of service.

This notice includes instructions on how to identify units matching these criteria and who to contact for more information on what to do.

Checking personal protective equipment safety and performance

Resources for fire and EMS providers include:

• NIOSH's Certified Equipment List (CEL).
• NPPTL's Respirator User Notes Issued by Manufacturers.
• NPPTL listserv to receive email alerts when user notices from manufacturers are posted to NPPTL's website.