Hospitals Growing Nervous About National Respirator Shortage

For JTN, those certificates were numbered TC-84A-4244, TC-84A-4245, TC-84A-4380, TC-84A-4381, TC-84A-4382, TC-84A-4384, TC-84A-4385, TC-84A-4386, TC-84A-4389, TC-84A-4406, TC-84A-4407, TC-84A-4408, TC-84A-4490, and TC-84A-4501.

"As of June 22, 2009, no JTN respirator model can be listed as NIOSH approved," and no respirators with those numbers can no longer be manufactured, assembled, sold, or distributed," NIOSH said in a July 1 notice.

It could not be determined how many Bei Bei or JTN respirator models or products were recalled, or whether those products were sold under another brand name, or who purchased them and whether they are being replaced.

In Cal/OSHA's recommendations, N-95 devices should "generally be disposed of each time they are removed." If the employer is unable to assure a sufficient supply of respirators, "the employer should implement and document in writing the attempts to obtain respirators and measures the employer is implementing to conserve the respirator supply, which may include re-donning."

The masks are to be worn during "high hazard procedures including bronchoscopy, sputum induction, intubation and open circuit suctioning," Cal/OSHA added.