Respirator selection
Xylenes (o-, m-, p-isomers) respirator selectionC8H10
General-purpose solvent in paints, coatings, adhesives, printing; chemical intermediate (phthalic anhydride, PET). Coatings, printing, petrochemicals.
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.
Recommended cartridge: Organic Vapor (OV) — Black band
An APR fitted with the correct cartridge is only adequate up to its MUC (below) — the cartridge must be able to capture xylenes (o-, m-, p-isomers). Adequate warning properties; standard OV cartridge is effective up to the maximum use concentration. IDLH 900 ppm. You must establish a change-out schedule; never rely on taste or smell. See the cartridge & filter guide.
⚠ Skin absorption hazard: a respirator alone is not enough
Xylenes carry a NIOSH "skin" notation and are absorbed through the skin, so skin protection is required in addition to a respirator. Wear chemical-protective gloves and clothing rated for this substance, plus eye and face protection. Flame-resistant (FR) clothing guards against flash fire, not chemical permeation, so it is not a substitute for a chemical-protective suit.
⚠ Skin absorption hazard: a respirator alone is not enough
Xylenes carry a NIOSH "skin" notation and are absorbed through the skin, so skin protection is required in addition to a respirator. Choose gloves and protective clothing rated against this chemical (check the Safety Data Sheet for permeation data), and use eye protection.
Calculator for Xylenes (o-, m-, p-isomers)
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 Xylenes (o-, m-, p-isomers) by respirator
MUC = APF × the OSHA PEL (100 ppm), capped at the IDLH (900 ppm). Use this as a reference for the highest concentration each respirator class may be used at.
| Respirator | APF | MUC (ppm) |
|---|---|---|
| Air-Purifying Respirator · Quarter mask | 5 | 500 |
| Air-Purifying Respirator · Half mask | 10 | 900IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Half mask · Demand | 10 | 900IDLH |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus · Half mask · Demand | 10 | 900IDLH |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Helmet / hood | 25 | 900IDLH |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Loose-fitting facepiece | 25 | 900IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Helmet / hood · Continuous flow | 25 | 900IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Loose-fitting facepiece · Continuous flow | 25 | 900IDLH |
| Air-Purifying Respirator · Full facepiece | 50 | 900IDLH |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Half mask | 50 | 900IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Full facepiece · Demand | 50 | 900IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Half mask · Continuous flow | 50 | 900IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Half mask · Pressure-demand / positive-pressure | 50 | 900IDLH |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus · Full facepiece · Demand | 50 | 900IDLH |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator · Full facepiece | 1,000 | 900IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Full facepiece · Continuous flow | 1,000 | 900IDLH |
| Supplied-Air Respirator (Airline) · Full facepiece · Pressure-demand / positive-pressure | 1,000 | 900IDLH |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus · Full facepiece · Pressure-demand / positive-pressure | 10,000 | 900IDLH |
Notes
All three isomers: REL TWA 100 ppm (435 mg/m3) ST 150 ppm (655 mg/m3); PEL TWA 100 ppm; IDLH 900 ppm; MW 106.2. Per-isomer ppm to mg/m3 conversion differs: o-/m- = 4.34, p- = 4.41 (genuine NPG rounding quirk). Mixed-xylenes CAS 1330-20-7. OSHA Z-1 has TWA only; the 150 ppm STEL is the NIOSH value.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0668.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0669.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0670.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/95476.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.