Quantitative fit-test method for powered air-purifying respirators

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15298667991429615· OSTI ID:5662380

Lowry, P L; Wheat, L D; Bustos, J M

Current respirator approval regulations require that powered air-purifying respirators be worn by several persons into an atmosphere containing isoamyl acetate vapor and that none of the persons smell the characteristic odor of the isoamyl acetate. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has funded a project at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) designed to develop a quantitative fit-test for powered air-purifying respirators so that the actual leakage rate of a known concentration of contaminant into the respiratory inlet covering can be measured with near real time analysis. The system developed uses a scattered light aerosol photometer for analysis and 25 mg/m/sup 3/ of submicrometer diameter dioctyl phthalate (DOP) aerosol as the contaminant. Five types of powered air-purifying respirators, all equipped with a full facepiece, a hood, or a helmet, were tested on 10 different people using this method. All of the devices provided protection factors of 1000 or better to all 10 people, and most of the tests showed protection factors greater than 10,000, where the protection factor is defined as the ratio of the challenge aerosol concentration to the aerosol concentration within the respiratory inlet covering.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5662380
• Journal Information: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States) Vol. 40:4; ISSN AIHAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420202 -- Engineering-- Protective Structures & Equipment
570000* -- Health & Safety
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AEROSOLS
AIR FILTERS
CLOTHING
COLLOIDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISPERSIONS
EQUIPMENT
EXERCISE
FILTERS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INHALATION
INTAKE
LEAK TESTING
LEAKS
MEDICINE
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
RESPIRATORS
SOLS
TESTING