wuddog
Mechanical
- Nov 3, 2006
- 10
So I know that NIOSH specifies Grade "D" breathing air as follows:
(a) Oxygen (volume/volume) within 19.5-23.5%
(b) Hydrocarbon (condensed): no more than 5 milligrams per cubic meter of air
(c) Carbon monoxide (CO): no more than 10 parts per million (ppm)
(d) Carbon dioxide (CO2): no more than 1,000 ppm
(e) No noticeable odor
But I see no mention of allowable particulate. I currently have a situation where my breathing air system supplied by an air compressor is spitting out fine black particles. These particles are not oil. They are not liquid. But according to the requirements of the above NIOSH criteria, it appears to be fine to have these particles in my breathing air stream. I know I won't be breathing from this sytem as long as these conditions are present, but I cannot find a statement anywhere stating what acceptable particulate levels are.
Thanks for any help.
(a) Oxygen (volume/volume) within 19.5-23.5%
(b) Hydrocarbon (condensed): no more than 5 milligrams per cubic meter of air
(c) Carbon monoxide (CO): no more than 10 parts per million (ppm)
(d) Carbon dioxide (CO2): no more than 1,000 ppm
(e) No noticeable odor
But I see no mention of allowable particulate. I currently have a situation where my breathing air system supplied by an air compressor is spitting out fine black particles. These particles are not oil. They are not liquid. But according to the requirements of the above NIOSH criteria, it appears to be fine to have these particles in my breathing air stream. I know I won't be breathing from this sytem as long as these conditions are present, but I cannot find a statement anywhere stating what acceptable particulate levels are.
Thanks for any help.