Page:Niosh tb guidelines.pdf/6

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Contents

Foreword

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Summary

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List of Abbreviations

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Acknowledgments

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I. Introduction

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A. Current Epidemiology and Control of Tuberculosis

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1

B. The Mandates to NIOSH in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

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4

C. The Principle of Public Health Prudence

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5

II. Mode of Airborne Transmission and Potential for Worker Exposure

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A. Airborne Transmission of Tubercule Bacilli

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B. Health-Care-Facility Workers' Potential for Exposure to Tuberculosis

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III. Methods for Worker Protection—Controlling Airborne Transmission of Tuberculosis

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A. Previous Recommendations for Personal Respiratory Protection

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B. The "Hierarchy of Controls"

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IV. Considerations in the Selection of Respirators

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A. Nature of the Hazard to Workers

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B. Potential Respirator Leakage

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C. Hazardous Face-Seal Leakage

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D. Hazardous Leakage Through Filters

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E. Powered, HEPA-Filter Halfmask and Positive-Pressure, Air-Line, Halfmask Respirators

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F. Practical Disadvantages of the Recommended Respirators

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G. Surgical Masks and Other Disposable Particulate Respirators

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