The guide provides practical guidance for selection and use of respiratory protection to persons who work in asbestos abatement operations or other activities, such as maintenance or repair, where exposure or the potential for exposure to asbestos exists. The guide recommends controlling exposures to the lowest level possible as determined by the most sensitive and reliable monitoring methods. The guide has five parts. Part I is an introduction to the hazards associated with airborne asbestos and to the issues involving respiratory protection against asbestos. Part II presents a model respiratory protection program for the asbestos industry which both satisfies current Federal regulations and incorporates the most current information on appropriate respirators for use against airborne asbestos fibers. Part III contains a checklist for developing or evaluating a respiratory protection program. Part IV presents information on breathing air systems for supplied-air respirators. Part V lists sources of help for problems involving respirator use.

"U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research, Morgantown, West Virginia for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Asbestos Action Program, Susan F. Vogt, Director". "April 1986"--Cover. "EPA Co-project officers : David W. Mayer, Steve Shapiro." "NIOSH Project Officer: Gary P. Noonan. "NIOSH IA 85-06" "EPA DW 75932235-01-1." Includes bibliographical references.