PPE Recommendations HPAI 25 April 2016 1

The NAHEMS Guidelines: Personal Protective Equipment recommends use of Level C protection during an HPAI response. The Highly 

Pathogenic Avian Influenza Standard Operating Procedures: 8. Health and Safety Personal Protective Equipment, states that the Site Safety 

Officer (SSO), or designee, selects which PPE to use for individual tasks based on the job hazard analysis (JHA) performed. The purpose of this 

document is to provide greater detail to Safety Officers on the selection of PPE within Level C. Job hazard analyses should be conducted to 

determine the best fabric to protect against specific liquid splashes. In general, select the lowest level of fabric which provides sufficient protection 

to personnel. “Product Line by Hazard” provides comparisons and recommendations for typical chemical hazards.1In addition to respiratory 

protection and full-body protection, appropriate foot and hand protection must be worn.2 For more information, please contact 

Deborah.I.Nelson@aphis.usda.gov at 515-450-6096. 

Protective Suit Fabric3 Respiratory Protection4

Type of PPE SMS (aka 

Proshield) 

Microporous 

(laminates)

*Tyvek® (spunbonded olefin 

such as 

polyethylene) 

*Tychem® 

QC (Tyvek 

coated with 

polyethylene)

Tychem® SL, 

utilizing

Saranex® 23-P 

film laminated 

to Tyvek®

*Tychem® F, 

proprietary 

barrier 

material

Single-use 

filtering 

facepiece 

available 

from the 

NVS

Half-facepiece 

air-purifying 

respirator with 

replaceable 

filter/cartridges

Full-facepiece 

air-purifying 

respirator with 

replaceable 

filter/ cartridges

General 

Description

 “Good for 

particulates --

50% holdout” 

(per Dupont 

representative)

 “A breathable 

fabric that offers 

a good barrier 

against 

hazardous

particles and 

limited liquid 

splashes.”5

 NOTE: Will not 

provide as 

much protection 

as Tyvek® from 

objects or

surfaces that 

could damage 

or tear the 

fabric.

 “Better for 

particulates –

95 to 97% 

holdout” (per 

Dupont 

representative) 

 “Microporous 

PE Laminate 

offers a good 

barrier against

hazardous 

particles and 

light liquid

splashes, while 

the micropores

allow for some 

breathability.”6

 See NOTE 

under SMS. 

 “Best for 

particulates ” 

(per Dupont 

representative) 

 “Light-weight 

inherent barrier 

protection 

against 

hazardous dry 

particles and 

aerosols, and 

nonhazardous 

light liquid 

splash”7

 “...used for 

light splash 

protection in 

a variety of 

industrial 

environments

...provides 

excellent 

resistance 

against 

biohazards 

such as 

blood, body 

fluid, and 

viral 

contaminants

...”8

 “Chemical 

mixing, 

remediation, 

emergency

medical 

response, 

paint spraying, 

and 

radioactive 

environments.”

9

 “..strong, 

lightweight 

liquid splash 

protection ... 

for personnel 

responding to 

an incident 

involving 

chemical, 

biological, or 

radioactive 

agents ...”10

*N95 

3M 8110 

3M 8210 

3M 8511 

3M 9211+ 

Moldex 

2700 

*P95

3M 8271 

*N100

3M 8233 

3M 8293 

Moldex 

2360 

 The minimum 

requirement is 

P100 filters; 

additional 

protection may 

be needed for 

organic vapors 

and/or 

ammonia. 

 NOTE that 

organic vapor 

cartridges do 

NOT protect 

against 

ammonia 

unless 

specifically 

stated on the 

label. 

 OSHA 

Assigned 

Protection 

Factor = 10.

 The minimum 

requirement is 

P100 filters; 

additional 

protection may 

be needed for 

organic vapors 

and/or 

ammonia. 

 NOTE that 

organic vapor 

cartridges do 

NOT protect 

against 

ammonia 

unless 

specifically 

stated on the 

label. 

 OSHA 

Assigned 

Protection 

Factor = 50.

FY2016 HPAI Response

Interim Recommendations on PPE for 

Selected Activities 

April 25, 2016
PPE Recommendations HPAI 25 April 2016 2

Protective Suit Fabric3 Respiratory Protection4

Type of PPE SMS (aka 

Proshield) 

Microporous 

(laminates)

*Tyvek® (spunbonded olefin 

such as 

polyethylene) 

*Tychem® 

QC (Tyvek 

coated with 

polyethylene)

Tychem® SL, 

utilizing

Saranex® 23-P 

film laminated 

to Tyvek®

*Tychem® F, 

proprietary 

barrier 

material

Single-use 

filtering 

facepiece 

available 

from the 

NVS

Half-facepiece 

air-purifying 

respirator with 

replaceable 

filter/cartridges

Full-facepiece 

air-purifying 

respirator with 

replaceable 

filter/ cartridges

 Additional PPE 

(e.g., safety 

gloves with 

gauntlets) may 

be needed. 

 *1⁄2-facepieces

(all in S, M, and 

L)

North 7700 

MSA Advantage 

420 

3M 6000 Series 

Survivair 2000S 

Series 

 *Fullfacepieces

MSA Advantage 

1000 (S, M, L)

North 7600 

Series (S, M/L) 

3M 6000 Series 

(S, M, L) 

Contribution 

to WBGT11

+0.5°C = +0.9°F (should be 

between SMS 

and Tyvek)

+1°C = +1.8°F +11°C=+19.8°F (applicable to vapor-barrier 

coveralls)

N/A N/A N/A

Activities with 

low-tomoderate 

exposure to 

dry airborne 

particles (e.g., 

environmental 

monitoring, 

shoveling, 

compost 

heaps, dry 

cleaning with 

hand tools); 

low potential 

of splashing 

or soaking

Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Not indicated 

for use 

against 

particulates 

unless there is 

exposure to 

splashing of 

hazardous 

liquids or 

continual 

exposure to 

irritating 

liquids

Not indicated 

for use against 

particulates 

unless there is 

exposure to 

splashing of 

hazardous 

liquids or 

continual 

exposure to 

irritating liquids

Not indicated 

for use against 

particulates 

unless there is 

a high risk of 

exposure to 

chemical, 

biological, 

and/or 

radioactive 

agents 

. 

Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable

Activities with 

moderate-tohigh potential 

of exposure 

to aerosols, 

such as 

produced by 

use of 

compressed 

air or water 

spray12

Not appropriate Not appropriate Not appropriate Appropriate if 

indicated by 

job hazard 

analysis. 

Appropriate if 

indicated by job 

hazard 

analysis. 

“If during any of 

the high contact 

activities, 

especially 

cleaning, 

disinfecting and 

decontaminatin

g, exposure to 

Appropriate if 

indicated by 

job hazard 

analysis. 

Not 

appropriate

Acceptable with 

appropriate eye 

protection14

Recommended; 

eye protection 

integral to 

facepiece
PPE Recommendations HPAI 25 April 2016 3

Protective Suit Fabric3 Respiratory Protection4

Type of PPE SMS (aka 

Proshield) 

Microporous 

(laminates)

*Tyvek® (spunbonded olefin 

such as 

polyethylene) 

*Tychem® 

QC (Tyvek 

coated with 

polyethylene)

Tychem® SL, 

utilizing

Saranex® 23-P 

film laminated 

to Tyvek®

*Tychem® F, 

proprietary 

barrier 

material

Single-use 

filtering 

facepiece 

available 

from the 

NVS

Half-facepiece 

air-purifying 

respirator with 

replaceable 

filter/cartridges

Full-facepiece 

air-purifying 

respirator with 

replaceable 

filter/ cartridges

moderate-tolarge volumes 

of liquid is 

anticipated, a 

sealed seam 

Tychem® 

garment may 

be appropriate 

to reduce the 

risk of liquid 

contact.”13

Activities with 

high potential 

of splashing 

or soaking, 

especially 

with irritating 

or hazardous 

liquids 15

Not acceptable Not acceptable Not acceptable Job hazard analysis should be conducted to 

determine the best fabric to protect against specific 

liquid splashes. In general, select the lowest level 

of fabric which provides sufficient protection to 

personnel. “Product Line by Hazard” provides 

recommendations for typical chemical hazards.16

Not 

acceptable

Acceptable with 

appropriate eye 

protection 

Recommended

*Available through the National Veterinary Stockpile. 

1 Product Line by Hazard, DuPont, http://safespec.dupont.com/safespec/media/documents/hazard_matrix.pdf

2 Select foot protection which can be disinfected, and which provides protection from hazards such as objects piercing the sole (e.g., nails), slippery ground and floors, and falling or 

rolling objects. The best protection will be provided by cleanable, treaded pull-on overboots (e.g., Servus A380 yellow overboots) worn over sturdy work boots or shoes. 

Gloves must be selected to protect against the chemicals in use (e.g., pesticides, solvents, etc.). A combination of glove types worn in layers may be needed to protect against 

biological and chemical hazards, and against rough surfaces or objects such as nails or protruding wires, which may damage the glove. Gauntlet gloves may be helpful for tasks such 

as reaching into cages. Consult the Safety Data Sheets for each chemical or http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ncpc/ for further guidance. 

3

Items marked with an asterisk (*) are currently available through the National Veterinary Stockpile: Tyvek®, Tychem® QC, and Tychem® F, and all indicated respirator models. 

Other fabric types are presented for comparison, in order of increasing protection. Higher rated fabrics are commercially available if deemed necessary. Gloves must be selected to 

protect against the chemicals in use (e.g., pesticides, solvents, etc.). A combination of glove types worn in layers may be needed to protect against biological and chemical hazards, 

and against surfaces or objects which may damage the glove. 

4 Please note that individual state requirements may vary (for example, California requirements available at http://www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/5199-1.html). 

5 3M Protective Apparel Product Guide, 3M, 2012. 

6 3M Protective Apparel Product Guide, 3M, 2012. 

7 Tyvek® Coveralls, http://www.dupont.com/products-and-services/personal-protective-equipment/chemical-protective-garments/brands/tyvek-protective-apparel/products/tyvekcoveralls.html , accessed 27 June 2015. 

 
PPE Recommendations HPAI 25 April 2016 4

 

8 DuPont Tychem® QC Chemical Protective Clothing, http://www2.dupont.com/Personal_Protection/en_US/assets/downloads/tychem/K17394TychemQC.pdf, accessed 20 July 2015.

9 DuPont Technical Data Sheet, DuPontTM Tychem® SL Lightweight Protection of DuPont ® Tyvek® Laminated with a Chemical-Resistant Saranex® Film, 

http://www2.dupont.com/Personal_Protection/en_US/assets/downloads/tychem/h91469tychemsltechdata.pdf , accessed 27 June 2015.

10 DuPont Tychem F, http://www2.dupont.com/Personal_Protection/en_US/assets/downloads/tychem/h95939tychemftechdata.pdf .

11 Per ACGIH® TLV for Heat Stress and Heat Strain, 2015.

12 OSHA requires in 1910.242 Hand and portable powered tools and other hand-held equipment, paragraph (b), “Compressed air used for cleaning. Compressed air shall not be used 

for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.”

13 “Protective Clothing for Avian Flu,” DuPont, 2013, accessed 27 June 2015 at http://safespec.dupont.com/safespec/media/documents/avian_flu.pdf . 

14 OSHA requires in 1910.133 Eye and face protection, paragraph (a)(1): “The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when 

exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.” A 

combination of eye/face protection may be required to protect against impact, dust, and chemicals. Single-use filtering facepieces and half-mask (elastomeric) air-purifying respirators 

provide no eye protection. Full facepiece elastomeric respirators provide some eye protection for infection control, which “...because of their design incidentally provide highly effective 

eye protection as well.” 

OSHA’s e-tool on eye protection (https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/eyeandface/ppe/selection.html) provides the following guidance:

Impact

While working in a hazardous area where the worker is exposed to flying objects, fragments, and particles, primary protective devices such as safety spectacles with side shields 

or goggles must be worn. Secondary protective devices such as face shields are required in conjunction with primary protective devices during severe exposure to impact 

hazards.

Personal protective equipment devices for impact hazards:

 Safety Spectacles: Primary protectors intended to shield the eyes from a variety of impact hazards.

 Safety Goggles: Primary protectors intended to shield the eyes against flying fragments, objects, large chips, and particles.

 Face Shields: Secondary protectors intended to protect the entire face against exposure to impact hazards.

Dust

... Working in a dusty environment can causes eye injuries and presents additional hazards to contact lens wearers.

Either eyecup or cover-type safety goggles should be worn when dust is present. Safety goggles are the only effective type of eye protection from nuisance dust because they 

create a protective seal around the eyes.

Personal protective equipment devices for dust hazards:

 Safety Goggles: Primary protectors intended to protect the eyes against a variety of airborne particles and harmful dust.

Chemicals

A large percentage of eye injuries are caused by direct contact with chemicals. These injuries often result from an inappropriate choice of personal protective equipment, that 

allows a chemical substance to enter from around or under protective eye equipment. Serious and irreversible damage can occur when chemical substances contact the eyes in 

the form of splash, mists, vapors, or fumes. When working with or around chemicals, it is important to know the location of emergency eyewash stations and how to access them 

with restricted vision. When fitted and worn correctly, goggles protect your eyes from hazardous substances. A face shield may be required in areas where workers are exposed 

to severe chemical hazards.

Personal protective equipment devices for chemical hazards:

 Safety Goggles: Primary protectors intended to shield the eyes against liquid or chemical splash, irritating mists, vapors, and fumes.

 Face Shields: Secondary protectors intended to protect the entire face against exposure to chemical hazards.
PPE Recommendations HPAI 25 April 2016 5

 

15 OSHA requires in 29 CFR 1010.151 Medical services and first aid, Paragraph (c): “Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable 

facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.” OSHA does not further specify the type of eye 

wash fountain, but has stated that “While not having the force of a regulation under the OSH Act, the current ANSI standard addressing emergency eyewash and shower equipment 

(ANSI [Z]358.1-2004) provides for eyewash and shower equipment in appropriate situations when employees are exposed to hazardous materials.” 

(https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=27089). The ANSI standard requires that eye wash fountains deliver 0.4 gallons 

per minute for 15 minutes (equivalent to 6 gallons of potable water or other medically acceptable fluid). These facilities should be located within 55’ or 10-second travel time, without 

barriers or steps to impede travel. Employees must also be trained on chemical hazards (29 CFR 1910.1200, Hazard communication, specifically 29 CFR 1910.1200(h) Employee 

information and training). 

16 Product Line by Hazard, DuPont, http://safespec.dupont.com/safespec/media/documents/hazard_matrix.pdf .