The physiological consequences of wearing industrial respirators: a review

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and American Conference of Govermental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Respiratory Protective Devices Manual, published in 1963, has as its primary source of physiological background the work of Silverman and co-workers performed during World War II. The adoption of permanent OSHA standards governing work tasks requiring workers to use respirators has created a need for further evaluation of the physiological effects of wearing a respirator. This review was undertaken to meet the need of an in-depth evaluation of the currently available psychophysiological data. It was concluded that it was of the utmost importance to develop a physiological and psychological medical screening examination to determine the capability of the worker to use a respirator.