Regulatory Guide 8.15

Acceptable Programs for Respiratory Protection

ML003739512
Person / Time
Issue date:	10/31/1976
From:	Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
To:
References
RG-8.15
Download: ML003739512 (5)

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

REGULATORY UIDE

OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMINT

REGULATORY GUIDE 8.15 ACCEPTABLE PROGRAMS FOR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

A. INTRODUCTION

Section 20.103, "Exposure of individuals to concen trations of radioactive materials in air in restricted areas," of 10 CFR Part 20, "Standards for Protection Against Radiation," permits licensees to make allowance for the use of respiratory protective equipment in estimating exposures of individuals to airborne radio active materials provided the protective equipment is used as stipulated in this guide, which describes the elements of respiratory protection programs acceptable to the NRC staff.

I

L. DISCUSSION

This guide specifies elements of acceptable respira tory protection programs.

More detailed advice, including technical needs and background information, may be found in NUREG-O041, "Manual of Respiratory Protection Against Airborne Radioactive Materials,"a sections of which are referenced and keyed to appropriate portions of this guide.

The NRC staff will use information in NUREG-0041 in assessinig the adequacy of respiratory protection pro grams pursuant to the guidance provided herein (NUREG-OO41, Section 3).

C. REGULATORY POSITION

Pursuant to §20.103 of 10 CFR Part 20, a licensee may make allowance for the use of respiratory protective equipment in estimating exposures of individuals to airborne radioactive materials if the equip ment is used according to the following guidance:

1. A written policy statement on respirator usage is to be issued from a high management leve

l. Strong

8NUREG.-O041 is available from the National Technical Infor mation Service. Springfield, Virginia 22161.

October 1976 management backing is considered essential to an adequate respiratory protection program. Techniques are to be provided and measures taken to ensure that management policy is carried out. Subjects to be covered by the policy statement include the use of practicable engineering controls instead of respirators; routine, non routine, and emergency situations; and periods of respirator use and relief from respirator use (NUREG-0041, Sections 2, 3.2, 12.1).

2. Respiratory protective equipment is to be selected to provide a protection factor greater than the multiple by which peak concentrations of radioactive r"-terials are expected to exceed the values specified in .;ýble I,

Column I of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 20. The equipment selected is to be used so that the average concentration of radioactive material in the air that is inhaled during any period of uninterrupted use in an airborne radioactivity area, on any day, by any indi vidual using the equipment, will not exceed the values specified in Table 1, Column I of Appendix B to 10

CFR Part 20. For the purposes of this guide, the concentration of radioactive material in the air that is inhaled when respirators are worn may be initially estimated by dividing the ambient concentration in air by the protection factor specified in Table 1. If a respirator user's intake of radioactive materials is later determined by other measwements to have been greater than that expected from initial estimates df radioactive materials in the air the user inhales, the greater quantity is to be used in evaluating exposures;

if it is less than that initially estimated, the lesser quantity may be used in evaluating exposures (NUREG-0041, Sections 5, 6).

3. The licensee is to advise each respirator user that he may leave the area at any time for relief from respirator use in the event of equipment malfunction, physical or psychological distress, procedural or communication failure, significant deterisration of operating conditions, or any other condition that might require such relief (NUREG-0041, Section 2.2).

USNRC REGULATORY GUIDES

Comments ahould be sent to the Secretary of the Comm.son U 5 10==

Fillquaitoov' Comminssion. Washingtonl. 0 C 21.

Attention Dockeemif 41011 Reguletorv Guides ere issued to describe and make available to the public serveato bi oCkon methods cceiptablite to the NRC staff at implementing specific peO, of the CommitSnen s regutltions. to delineate tlechniques used by the Ostiff in ovolu The guides are sasued in the following Ion broad divisions

&iet idiecrhc problems or postulated accidents. or to provide guidance to appk cents Rlegoliary GOudeooare not subtitutes for regulations. ind compltance I Power Reactors

9 Products with them to nho required Methods anri solutions different from those set out in

2 Research end Tout Reactors

7 Transportation he g-ide wolo e acceptable itf tey provide a basis tfo the findings rfequsite to

3 Fues and Materials Facilitse

8 Occupatinel4t 4Health thf esuawnce or continuance of a permit or license by the Commissionr

4 Invironmente alrd Siting

9 Antitrust Review Comments and suggestions for irmprlovmens in these guide" are encouraged S Materials and Plant Protection

1o General at al twmes. end guides will be revised, as opiotsuiate. to accommodate corn m..to and to refilict new information or eaperierice This guide was revised ass Copies oa published guides may be obtained by writte*

iequest indicatine the resflt tf subsiantive comments received from the public end additional staff divisions desired to the U S Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Washington 0 C

reemI

I2M, Attioleon Director. Ofihce of Standlards Developmenrt

4. Tlie l*cense, is is, mulanitaini tii iilI)Je n!t ;I

rcspiil;iorv incflictdioi

'r~ln altl :

I

llu Includes.

'iN a inininii.

the Iollo hwlhg tlenis (NU RE'(;-00'1. Se.;io,.

3.1.5)'

'i. Air sampling and ollici siurveys sufficitll tot identify the hazard, to evaluate uidividual exposures, and to pcrlint proper selection ol' respiratory protective equipment (NtJREG-0041, Sections 4. 5, 11 ).

b. Written procedures to ensure proper selection, supervision, and training of personnel using such protective equipment I NURE(-004 I , Sections 8, 12).

c. Written procedures to ensure the adequate individual fitting of respirators, as well as such proce dures to ensure the testing of respiratory protective equipment for operability immediately prior to each use (NUREG-0041, Sections 7, 8, 12).

d. Written procedures for maintenance to ensure full effectiveness of respiratory protective equipment, including procedures for cleaning and disinfection.

decontamination, inspection, repair, and storage (NUREG-0041, Sections 9, 10).

e. Written operational and administrative proce dures for control, issuance, proper use, and return of respiratory protective equipment, including provisions for planned limitations on duration of respirator use for any individual as necessitated by operational condi tions (NUREG-0041, Sections 2, 9, 10, 12).

f.. Bioassays and other surveys, as appropriate, to evaluate individual exposures and to assess protection actually provided "(NUREG-0041, Sections 4, 11 ).

g.

tion of progrant Records sufficient to permit periodic evalua the adequacy of the respiratory protection (NUREG-0041, Section 12).

h. Determination prior to assignment of any individual to tasks requiring the use of respirators that such an individual is physically able to perform the work and use the respiratory protective equipment. A

physician is to determine what health and physical conditions are pertinent. The medical status of each respirator user is to be reviewed at least annually (NUREG.0041, Section 7.4).

5. The licensee is to use equipment approved under appropriate Approval Schedules in 30 CFR Part 11 of the U.S.

Bureau of Mines/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and as set forth in Table I.

5. Where no equipment of a particular type has been approved under the schedules in 30 CFR Part II

or where there is no existing schedule Io approval ul certaint equipment, such equipment is not to be used

,i thonit specii- aitlthoriat ion by the (otnmissiomi.

An appl)ication for such authori,.ation is expected to include a demonstration by testing or on the basis of ieliable test infornmation that th' ie tereal ani

.w r ftOrmance characteristics of the equipment are capable (if providing an acceptable degree of protection under anticipated conditions of use.

7. Unless otherwise authorized by the Conimissin, the licensee is not ito assign protect ion facit or in excess of those specified in Table I in selecting and using respiratory protective equipment.' The (Commis sion may authorize a licensee to use higher pr,.,tection factors on receipt of an application (a) describing the situation for which a need exists for higher protection factors and (b)

demonstrating that the respiratory protective equipment will provide such higher lirotec tion factors under the proposed conditions of use.

8. As a minimum, the following additional technical items are to be observed:

a. Respirable air of approved quality and quantity is to be provided and oxygen deficiency is to be avoided (NUREG-0041, Sections 4.1.1, 5.1.2. 5.1.3,

5.2.4.1, 5.2.4.1.1, 5.2.4.1.4, 9.8).

b. There is to be a standby rescue person equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus and communications equipment when supplied-air suits are used (NUREG-0041, Section 5.1.3).

c. No credit is to be taken for use of sorbents against radioactive materials (NUREG.-041, Sections

5.2.2, 5.2.2.2, 5.2.3.5, 5.6.6).

d. Filter media in air-purifying respirators are to be of the high-efficiency type (NUREG-0041, Sections

5.2.2.1, 5.2.2.3, 5.2.3.2, 5.6.1).

e. Air-purifying respirators are not to be used in oxygen-deficient atmospheres (NUREG-0041, Sections

4.1.1, 4.2.3, 5.2.3.1).

f. Adequate skin protection is to be provided (NUREG-0041, Sections 1.2, 5.2.3.2).

g. Air-purifying respirators are not to be used in atmospheres immediately hazardous to life or health (NUREG-0041, Section 5.2.3.4).

a'The factor!s Ilted are Intended as ulades for solection and us of rpeqaton in protection aaainht radioactit materials.

Additiorel precautions must be taken as ncessary to protect against concurrent hazards other than radiation.

8.15.2 I

h. Canisters and cartridges are not to be

0se4 beyond service-life limitations (NUREG-0041, Section

5.2.3.5).

i. #Vxelets are not to be used (NUREG-0041, Section 5.2.3.6).

j. Uxygcn and breathing air are not to be used in the same apparatus (NUREG-0041, Sections 5.2.4.1,

5.2.4.1.4, 5.2.4.2).

k. Proper fittings are to be used with supplied-air equipment (NUREG-O041, Section;

5.2.4.1.1,

5.2.4.1.2, 5.2.4.1.3).

1. Equipment is to be used within limitations for type and mode of use (NUREG-0041, Sections 5.2.3,

5.2.4).

m. Only specified equipment is to be used as emergency devices (NUREG-0041, Sections 5.2.4.1.4,

5.2.4.2.1, 5.2.4.2.4, 5.5).

n. Appropriate equipment with proper visual, communication, and other special capabilities is to 6'e provided (NUR*gIOQ41, Sections 7.1, 13).

D. IMPLEMENTATION

The purpose of this section is to provide informa tion to applicants and liconses rePuding the NRC

staff's pipts for using this regulatory gWde.

This guide reflects current NRC staff practice.

Therefore, except in those cases in which the licensee or applicant proposes an acceptable slterative method for complying with specified portions of the Commis sion's regulations, the methods described herein arc being and will continue to be used in the evaluation of the respiratory protection propams of licensees who are subject to the requirements of §20.103 of 10 CFR

Part 20 until this guide is revised as a result of sugges tions from the public or additional staff review.

8.i5.3

TABLE I

PROTECTION FACTORS FOR RESPIRATORSa DESCRIPTIONh I.

AIR-PIURIIFYING RESPIRATORS

Facepiece, half-inask Facepiece, full I avpleccv. half-mask, full. or hImHmd II.

ATMOSPIII RV-SUPPLYING RISPIRATORS

I Air-line respirator Facepiece, half-m ask Facepiece, half-mask I:acepiece. full Facepiece. full Facepiec

e. full Ilood Suit

2. Seif-contamncd breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Facepiece. full Facepicec, full Iacepiece. full Ill. C(OMBINATION RESPIRATOR

Any combination of air-.purifyinl and atmosphere-supplying respirators PROTECTION

FACTORSd PARTICU-

PARTICU

LATES

LATES, GASES

MODESC

ONLY

A VAPOle NI'

NiP

PP

CI

D

ClF

D

PD)

Cl:

CF:

D

PI)

R

10

50

1000

1000

10

2000

50

2 OOO

2000D

h so i0,oooJ

5o I

Protection fact'or for type and morte of oper;ation as listed abr"

SELECTION OF TESTED

& CERTIFIED EQUIPMENT

BUREAU OF MINES/NATIONAL

INSTIfTUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL

SAFETrY AND HEAL TH AWR-rOVAt AA?YAID HEALTh APPROVALS

30 CFR Part I I Subpart K

30 CFR Part I I Subpart J

i

30 CFR Part I I Subpart H

30 CFR Part II § 11.63(b)

aFor use in the selection of respiratory protective devices to be used where the contaminant has been identified and the concentralion (or possible concentration) is known, bOnly for shaven faces and where nothing interferes with the seal of' tight-fitting facepieces against the skin. (Hoods and suits are excepted.)

"oThe mode symbols are defined as follows:

CF = continuous flow D = demand NP= negative pressure (i.e,. negative phase during inhala cion)

PD = pressure demand (i.e., always positive pressure)

PP ,

positive pressure R

= demand, recirculating (closed circuit)

dl. The protection factor is a measure of the degree of protec tion afforded by a respirator, defined as the ratio of the concentration of airborne radioactive material outside the respiratory protective equipment to that inside the equip ment (usually inside the facepiece) under conditions of use. It is applied to the ambient airborne concentration to estimate the concentration inhaled by the wearer ac cording to the following formula:

Concentration Inhaled = Ambient Airborne Concentration Protection Factor

-1

2. The protection factors apply:

(a) Only for trained individuals wearing properly fitted respirators used and maintained under supervision in a well-planned respiratory protective program.

(b) For air-purifying respirators only when high efficiency particulate filters (above 99.97% removal efficiency by thermally ienerated 0.3 ;m dioctyl phthalate (DOP) itstj are used in atmospheres not deficient in oxygen and not containing radioactive gas or vapor resplirtory heards.

(c) For atmosphere.-supplying respiratori only when suppled with adequate respliable air.

eExcludiriS radioactive contaminants that present an absorption or submersion hazard. For tritium oxide, approximately one hall of the intake occurs by absorption throulh the skin so that an overall protection factor of less than 2 is appropriate when atmosphere-supplying mspirators are used to protect aganst tritium oxide; for example:

If the protection factor for a device is:

10

100

1,000

PF overall for tritium oxide is:

1.62

1.98 L.99 (Continued)

8.15.4 I

I

(Continued)

Air-purifying respirators are not suitable for protection sgainst tritium oxide.

$ee also footnote g

concerning supplied4tir suits.

fUnder-chin type o1ly. This type of respirator is not stisfac tory for ion where it might be posible (e4., if an accident or emergency were to occur)

for the ambient airborne concentration to reach instantaneous values greater than 10

times the pertinent values in Table I, Column I of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 20, "Standards for Protection Aainst Radiation." This type of respirator Is not sittable for protec tion aqgnst plutonium or other high-toxicity materials. The mask Is to be tested for flt with irritant smoke, prior to use, each time it is donned.

SThe design of the supplied-air hood or helmet (with a minimum flow of 6 cfm of air) may determine its overall efficiency and the protection it provides. For example, some hoods aspirate contaminated air into the breathing zone when the wearer works with hands-over-head. Such aspiration may Note 1: Protection factors for respirators, as may be approved by the U.S. Bureau of Mines/National Institute for Occupa tional Safety and Health (NIOSH) according to applicable approvals for respirators to protect against airborne radio nuclides, may be used to the extent that they do not exceed the protection factors listed in this table. The protection factors listed in this table may not be appropriate to circum stances where chemical or other ,espiratory hazards exist in addition to radioactive hazards. The selection and use of be overcome if a short cape-like extention to the hood as worn tander a coat or coveralls. Other limitations specified by the approval agency must be considered before using a hood in c*rtain types of atmosphees (see footnote h). Mariufic.

turers' recommended presre settings for the air supply cannot always be relied on to ensure a minimum 6 cfm air flow. Equipment must be operated in a manner that ensures proper flow rates are maintained.

hAppropriate protection factors must be determined. taking into account the Oesign of the suit and its permebility to the contaminant under conditions of use.

iNo approval schedules are currently availablefor this equip ment. Equipment is to be evaluated by testing or on the basis of reliable test information, kThis type of respirator may provide greater protection and be used as an emergency device in unknown concentrations for protection against inhalation hazards.

External radiation hazards and other limitations to permitted exposure such as skin absorption must be taken into account in such circum stances.

respirators for such circumstances should take into account applicable approvals of the U.S. Bureau of Mines/NIOSHi.

Note 2: Radioactive contaminants for which the concentialijon values in Table I of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 20 arc hased on internal dose due to inhalation may, in addition. pres, r, external exposure hazards at higher concentrations. Under such circumstances, limitations on occupancy may have to be governed by external dose limits.

8.15-5