It is important to instruct pesticide workers that ff they use a pesticide respirator for potential Hantavirus protection, many pesticide respirator prefilters are not HEPA filters and may not provide equal protec- tion against the Hantavirus. Pesticide workers should be instructed to have someone knowl- edgeable in respirator selection validate any changing of pesticide prefilters to HEPA prefilters to ensure the respirator approval is not invalidated. Others who may become potentially exposed to Hantavirus include facilities engineers, house- keeping workers, plumbers, carpenters, insulation workers, telephone repair and installation workers, and warehouse personnel. Currently, there is insufficient information available to make general recommendations to all workers with potential exposure, other than that they avoid disrupting rodents or droppings. Specific occupationally-related questions should be directed to the Installation Medical Authority.
Many installations have services provided by contractors.
Although the government may not be directly responsible for contractor personnel health and safety, information transfer about potential Hantavirus exposure in government facilities is medically ethical. Communication between the government and contractors is usually through the contracting officer or his recognized representative. This information should provide cost-effective equipment for personnel requiring respiratory protection for potential Hantavirus exposure. Combination HEPA and specific contaminant cartridges are also avafiable. High Efficiency Pre-Filters for 3M 7000 Series Respirators NSN No.