This Pesticide Registration Notice informs registrants of technology improvements for respirators and designation changes for certain respirator filters required in pesticide labeling statements. Because the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has revised respirator standards for particulate filters, references to filter classification types on pesticide labels are no longer accurate. Previously certified filters for pesticide users will no longer be available after fall 1998.

EPA intends to modify the regulations governing respirator requirements for product labels. EPA is issuing this notice in order to allow registrants adequate time to make appropriate changes in product labels.

Registrants should modify the respirator designations on those product labels that contain language that requires pesticide handlers to wear dust/mist filtering respirators (TC-21C) or those respirators that require an organic vapor-removing cartridge respirator with a prefilter approved for pesticides (TC-23C). 

• PRN 98-9: Modification of Respirator Statements for Pesticide Product Labels (PDF)(6 pp, 32 K)