Respirator selection · particulate
Manganese respirator selectionMn
Steel and ferroalloy production (ferromanganese), welding electrodes and consumables (a leading occupational exposure source, linked to manganism), dry-cell batteries, glass, ceramics, fertilizers and fungicides (e.g., maneb), and the MMT fuel additive.
OSHA standard: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1 (no substance-specific manganese standard)
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. Fume and dust, non-oil - N-series acceptable; N95 minimum, with N100/P100 recommended for welding-generated Mn fume and higher concentrations. Because welding Mn often co-occurs with Cr(VI)/Ni, select the filter for the most protective constituent. See the cartridge & filter guide.
The OSHA limit for manganese is a ceiling value, not an 8-hour average. The MUC method below is defined for time-weighted limits, so apply professional judgment.
Calculator for Manganese
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 Manganese by respirator
MUC = APF × the OSHA PEL (5 mg/m3), capped at the IDLH (500 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 | 25 |
| Air-Purifying Respirator · Half mask | 10 | 50 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Half mask · Demand | 10 | 50 |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus · Half mask · Demand | 10 | 50 |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Helmet / hood | 25 | 125 |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Loose-fitting facepiece | 25 | 125 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Helmet / hood · Continuous flow | 25 | 125 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Loose-fitting facepiece · Continuous flow | 25 | 125 |
| Air-Purifying Respirator · Full facepiece | 50 | 250 |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Half mask | 50 | 250 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Full facepiece · Demand | 50 | 250 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Half mask · Continuous flow | 50 | 250 |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Half mask · Pressure-demand / positive-pressure | 50 | 250 |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus · Full facepiece · Demand | 50 | 250 |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Full facepiece | 1,000 | 500IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Full facepiece · Continuous flow | 1,000 | 500IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Full facepiece · Pressure-demand / positive-pressure | 1,000 | 500IDLH |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus · Full facepiece · Pressure-demand / positive-pressure | 10,000 | 500IDLH |
Notes
The OSHA limit is a CEILING of 5 mg/m3 (as Mn), not an 8-hr TWA - a distinction that matters for exposure comparisons. NIOSH is markedly lower (1 mg/m3 TWA, 3 mg/m3 STEL). No substance-specific OSHA standard exists; enforcement is under Table Z-1.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0379.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/7439965.html
- https://www.osha.gov/annotated-pels/table-z-1
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.