Dust masks and some surgical masks are excellent approved choices if the pesticide label specifies that a respirator must be worn during an application.

• A. True
• B. Not Applicable
• C. Sometimes
• D. False

Answer: (D)

When a pesticide label requires wearing a respirator, you must use an approved respirator that meets the label’s specifications. Dust masks aren’t respirators and aren’t NIOSH-approved for pesticide use, so they don’t meet the protection or certification standards the label demands. Surgical masks are designed primarily to protect others from the wearer’s droplets, not to filter harmful airborne pesticides or provide a tight seal for inhalation protection, so they also don’t satisfy the label’s requirement. Labels specify the exact type of respirator (and often the cartridge or filter) and require proper fit, maintenance, and training. Because of that, a simple dust mask or surgical mask is not an acceptable substitute when a respirator is required.