OK it is very important you choose the correct mask for the correct situation.

Please do not just buy any random mask.

It could mean LIFE OR DEATH for you or your family member.

SULFUR DIOXIDE

Synonyms & Trade Names

Sulfur oxide, Sulfurous acid anhydride, Sulfurous oxide

Physical Description

Colorless gas with a characteristic, irritating, pungent odor. [Note: A liquid below 14°F. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.]

Relative Gas Density

2.26

Nonflammable Gas

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Powdered alkali metals (such as sodium & potassium), water, ammonia, zinc, aluminum, brass, copper [Note: Reacts with water to form sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃).]

Exposure Routes

inhalation, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms

irritation eyes, nose, throat; rhinorrhea (discharge of thin nasal mucus); choking, cough; reflex bronchoconstriction; liquid: frostbite

Target Organs

Eyes, skin, respiratory system

Personal Protection/Sanitation

(See protection codes)
Skin:Frostbite
Eyes:Frostbite
Wash skin:No recommendation
Remove:When wet or contaminated (liquid)
Change:No recommendation
Provide:Frostbite wash

First Aid

(See procedures)
Eye:Frostbite
Skin:Frostbite
Breathing:Respiratory support

Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH

Up to 20 ppm:
(APF = 10) Any chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern*
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator*

Up to 50 ppm:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern*

Up to 100 ppm:
(APF = 50) Any chemical cartridge respirator with a full facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern*
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode*
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection

Personal Protection and Sanitation Recommendations

This section presents a summary of recommended practices for each substance.  These recommendations supplement general work practices (e.g., no eating, drinking, or smoking where chemicals are used) and should be followed if additional controls are needed after using all feasible process, equipment, and task controls.  Each category is described as follows:

First Aid

This entry lists emergency procedures for eye and skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion of the toxic substance.

Respirator Selection Recommendations

This section provides a condensed table of allowable respirators to be used for those substances for which IDLH values have been determined, or for which NIOSH has previously provided respirator recommendations (e.g., in criteria documents or Current Intelligence Bulletins) for certain chemicals.  There are, however, 186 chemicals listed in the Pocket Guide for which IDLH values have yet to be determined.  Since the IDLH value is a critical component for completing the NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic for a given chemical, the Pocket Guide does not provide respiratory recommendations for those 186 chemicals without IDLH values.  As new or revised IDLH values are developed for those and other chemicals, NIOSH will provide appropriate respirator recommendations.   [Appendix F contains an explanation of the “Effective” IDLHs used for four chloronaphthalene compounds.]

In 1995, NIOSH developed a new set of regulations in 42 CFR 84 (also referred to as “Part 84”) for testing and certifying non-powered, air-purifying, particulate-filter respirators. The new Part 84 respirators have passed a more demanding certification test than the old respirators (e.g., dust; dust and mist; dust, mist, and fume; spray paint; pesticide) certified under 30 CFR 11 (also referred to as “Part 11”).  Recommendations for non-powered, air-purifying particulate respirators have been updated from previous editions of the Pocket Guide to incorporate Part 84 respirators; Part 11 terminology has been removed.  For more information concerning the selection of N-, R-, or P-series (Part 84) particulate respirators click here.

In January 1998, OSHA revised its respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Among the provisions in the revised standard is the requirement for an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) or a change schedule when air-purifying respirators with chemical cartridges or canisters are used for protection against gases and vapors [29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(iii)]. requirement.)    In the Pocket Guide, air-purifying respirators (without ESLIs) for protection against gases and vapors are recommended only for chemicals with adequate warning properties, but now these respirators may be selected regardless of the warning properties.  Respirator recommendations in the Pocket Guide have not been revised in this edition to reflect the OSHA requirements for ESLIs or change schedules.

Appendix A lists the NIOSH carcinogen policy. Respirator recommendations for carcinogens in the Pocket Guide have not been revised to reflect this policy; these recommendations will be revised in future editions.

The first line in the entry indicates whether the “NIOSH” or the “OSHA” exposure limit is used on which to base the respirator recommendations.  The more protective limit between the NIOSH REL or the OSHA PEL is always used. “NIOSH/OSHA” indicates that the limits are equivalent.

Each subsequent line lists a maximum use concentration (MUC) followed by the classes of respirators, with their Assigned Protection Factors (APFs), that are acceptable for use up to the MUC.  Individual respirator classes are separated by diagonal lines (/).  More protective respirators may be worn.  “Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or entry into IDLH conditions” is followed by the classes of respirators acceptable for these conditions.  “Escape” indicates that the respirators are to be used only for escape purposes.  For each MUC or condition, this entry lists only those respirators with the required APF and other use restrictions based on the NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic.

In certain cases, the recommended respirators are annotated with the following symbols as additional information:

All respirators selected must be approved by NIOSH under the provisions of 42 CFR 84. The current listing of NIOSH/MSHA certified respirators can be found in the NIOSH Certified Equipment List .

A complete respiratory protection program must be implemented and must fulfill all requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134. respiratory protection program must include a written standard operating procedure covering regular training, fit-testing, fit-checking, periodic environmental monitoring, maintenance, medical monitoring, inspection, cleaning, storage and periodic program evaluation.  Selection of a specific respirator within a given class of recommended respirators depends on the particular situation; this choice should be made only by a knowledgeable person.  REMEMBER: Air-purifying respirators will not protect users against oxygen-deficient atmospheres, and they are not to be used in IDLH conditions.  The only respirators recommended for firefighting are self-contained breathing apparatuses that have full facepieces and are operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.  Additional information on the selection and use of respirators can be found in the NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic (DHHS [NIOSH] Publication No. 2005-100) and the NIOSH Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection (DHHS [NIOSH] Publication No. 87-116).

Exposure Route, Symptoms, Target Organs

Exposure Route

This section lists the toxicologically important routes of entry for each substance and whether contact with the skin or eyes is potentially hazardous.

Symptoms

This entry lists the potential symptoms of exposure and whether NIOSH considers the substance a potential occupational carcinogen.

Target Organs

This entry lists the organs that are affected by exposure to each substance.  For carcinogens, the type(s) of cancer are listed in brackets.  Information in this section reflects human data unless otherwise noted.

Selection of N-, R-, or P- Series Particulate Respirators

1. The selection of N-, R-, and P-series filters depends on the presence of oil particles as follows:

• If no oil particles are present in the work environment, use a filter of any series (i.e., N-, R-, or P-series).
• If oil particles (e.g., lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerine) are present, use an R- or P-series filter.  Note: N-series filters cannot be used if oil particles are present.
• If oil particles are present and the filter is to be used for more than one work shift, use only a P-series filter.

Note: To help you remember the filter series, use the following guide:

N for Not resistant to oil,

R for Resistant to oil,

P for oil Proof.

2. Selection of filter efficiency (i.e., 95%, 99%, or 99.97%) depends on how much filter leakage can be accepted.  Higher filter efficiency means lower filter leakage.

3.The choice of facepiece depends on the level of protection needed – that is, the assigned protection factor (APF) needed.