Respirator selection · particulate
Lead respirator selectionPb
Storage-battery manufacture, radiation shielding, ammunition, soldering, leaded glass/crystal, legacy pigments and paint, smelting/secondary metal recovery, radiator repair, and demolition/renovation of lead-painted structures.
OSHA standard: 29 CFR 1910.1025 (general industry); 29 CFR 1926.62 (construction)
These are federal OSHA limits. The PEL shown is the federal OSHA value. About two dozen states run their own OSHA-approved plans, and some — notably California (Cal/OSHA) — enforce lower or additional exposure limits. If you work under a state plan, check your state's PEL and enter it as a custom limit in the calculator.
Particulate hazard. Measured in mg/m³ and captured by N/R/P particulate filters — not gas/vapor cartridges. Solid particulate and fume, non-oil - N/R/P all acceptable; N-series minimum. N100/P100 (100-series, HEPA-level) recommended given lead's toxicity and low PEL. Match respirator assigned protection factor to airborne Pb concentration. See the cartridge & filter guide.
Calculator for Lead
Result
Enter a concentration and an exposure limit to see the
compliant respirators and their Maximum Use Concentration.
Hazard ratio = concentration ÷ OEL · Minimum APF must meet or exceed it · MUC = APF × OEL (capped at IDLH). Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A), Table 1 — Assigned Protection Factors. Last verified 2026-07-16.
Maximum use concentration for Lead by respirator
MUC = APF × the OSHA PEL (0.05 mg/m3), capped at the IDLH (100 mg/m3). Use this as a reference for the highest concentration each respirator class may be used at.
| Respirator | APF | MUC (mg/m3) |
|---|---|---|
| Air-Purifying Respirator · Quarter mask | 5 | 0.25 |
| Air-Purifying Respirator · Half mask | 10 | 0.5 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Half mask · Demand | 10 | 0.5 |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus · Half mask · Demand | 10 | 0.5 |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Helmet / hood | 25 | 1.25 |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Loose-fitting facepiece | 25 | 1.25 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Helmet / hood · Continuous flow | 25 | 1.25 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Loose-fitting facepiece · Continuous flow | 25 | 1.25 |
| Air-Purifying Respirator · Full facepiece | 50 | 2.5 |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Half mask | 50 | 2.5 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Full facepiece · Demand | 50 | 2.5 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Half mask · Continuous flow | 50 | 2.5 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Half mask · Pressure-demand / positive-pressure | 50 | 2.5 |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus · Full facepiece · Demand | 50 | 2.5 |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Full facepiece | 1,000 | 50 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Full facepiece · Continuous flow | 1,000 | 50 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Full facepiece · Pressure-demand / positive-pressure | 1,000 | 50 |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus · Full facepiece · Pressure-demand / positive-pressure | 10,000 | 100IDLH |
Notes
Current IDLH is the revised value of 100 mg/m3 (as Pb); the original 700 mg/m3 and interim 400 mg/m3 figures are historical and no longer current. PEL and action level trigger medical surveillance and biological (blood-lead) monitoring under 1910.1025.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0368.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/7439921.html
- https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1025
Data confidence: high. Values are cited from OSHA and NIOSH but should be verified against the current source and a qualified professional before use. See how this works.