Cal/OSHA Recalls 3M 8000 Respirators

Recently the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Cal/OSHA have become aware that the 3M 8000, a prevalent respirator model in the state and federal supply, has a low success rate in fit-testing. After further investigation, and discussions with the manufacturer and other respirator experts, CDPH has decided to withhold further shipments of this respirator and has asked local health departments to stop providing these respirators to health care facilities.

 

Fit-testing is a critical component of respirator use, since respirators protect people against inhaling infectious particles by sealing to the face, therefore forcing inhaled air to pass through the respirator filter instead of around the sides of the respirator. While Cal/OSHA is not prohibiting use of the 3M 8000 per se, it strongly recommends against using this model for prevention of aerosol transmitted disease and urges employers, if they decide to issue a respirator of this model to any employee, to assure a successful fit test with that employee.

 

It’s important to note that this is a Cal/OSHA recall only, not a 3M recall.