respirable

adjective

re·​spi·​ra·​ble ˈre-sp(ə-)rə-bəl  ri-ˈspī-rə- 

: fit for breathing

also : capable of being taken in by breathing

respirable particles of ash

Examples of respirable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company maintains that potential inhalation exposure to respirable manganese from operating the Hermosa Project would not pose a health risk for people in nearby communities. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 2 July 2024

The Labor Department rule lowers the permissible exposure limit of respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour average. —Matthew Daly, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024

The Mine Safety and Health Administration, or MSHA, has proposed a new rule that would lower miners' exposure to respirable crystalline silica. —Ted Koppel, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2023

At concrete batch plants, respirable crystalline silica can come from cement and fly ash, a powder used in producing cement. —Elena Bruess, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Sep. 2021

Although last year with the rule in effect, government reports indicated that respirable dust levels fell to historic lows. —Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, 25 Feb. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

respirable

adjective

re·​spi·​ra·​ble ˈres-p(ə-)rə-bəl  ri-ˈspī-rə- 

1

: fit for breathing

respirable air

2

: capable of being taken in by breathing

respirable particles of ash