Improved quality assurance testing of respirator filters
The overall objective of this project was to evaluate alternative materials, devices, and procedures that could improve performance test methods for high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and media and could lead to a new generation of quality assurance (QA) test equipment. Shortcomings of the current QA test equipment and procedures include the use of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a suspect carcinogen, and ambiguities in particle sizing and penetration measurement. Evaluation of a prototype replacement penetrometer system built for the US Army by A. D. Little, Inc., revealed serious deficiencies in aerosol generation and particle sizing. Studies of chemical degradation in circumstances approximating use conditions and of particle size stability in high-humidity conditions suggested that tetraethylene glycol and oleic acid might be appropriate DEHP substitutes in a new generation of flash vaporization generators of QA test aerosols. The successful completion of this project provided a solid foundation for proceeding in the assembly and testing of improved penetrometers for QA testing of HEPA respirator filters. 109 refs., 20 figs., 13 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 5574095
- Report Number(s):
- LA-10397-MS; ON: DE85015360
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AIR FILTERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RESPIRATORS
ACTIVATED CARBON
AEROSOLS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
GLYCOLS
HUMIDITY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
OLEIC ACID
PARTICLE SIZE
QUALITY CONTROL
SAMPLING
ADSORBENTS
ALCOHOLS
CARBON
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COLLOIDS
CONTROL
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FILTERS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SIZE
SOLS
SPECTROSCOPY
TESTING
420202* - Engineering- Protective Structures & Equipment