An integrated assessment of particulate respirators used as personal protection from ambient air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand

Kennedy L Mcguinness,Isabella R Hinks,Shabbir H Gheewala,Katherine E Westcott

doi:10.29392/001c.14598

Abstract

The recent increase of fine particulate matter in Bangkok, Thailand has become a widespread public health concern. Wearing a particulate respirator is one method to reduce particulate inhalation and therefore mitigate the adverse health effects of ambient air pollution. This study provides an integrated assessment of seven particulate respirator models based on three criteria: effectivity, cost, and environmental impact. The overall effectivity of each model is evaluated by assessing the product’s features associated with facial fit. The cost criterion reflects current market prices for bulk and individual orders. Thirdly, an environmental impact score is determined for the product life cycle of each respirator using life cycle assessment. The study assesses each respirator as it would be manufactured, distributed, used, and disposed of in Bangkok, Thailand. The integrated assessment results in twelve distinct consumer frameworks, reliant on variations of the three criteria, to provide guidance for policy makers and independent consumers in the selection of particulate respirators to optimally suit their needs. Ultimately, the data suggest that a buyer’s ideal respirator choice for short-term use is a disposable particulate respirator with a head strap. For long-term use, the study recommends a low-cost reusable respirator with an exhalation valve and replaceable filters. The average effectivity of reusable respirators is found to be greater than that of disposable respirators, due to their higher average number of available sizes. Reusable respirators are associated with consistently lower environmental impacts. The short-term cost of disposable respirators is much less than those of reusable models, however prices do converge over time.

Highlights

The severity of chronic PM 2.5 exposure is still being investigated, several recent studies have begun to establish positive correlations between high levels of particulate air pollution and respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, neuropsychological symptoms, overall hospitalisations, and increases in premature mortality.[2,5,7,8] The
The reusable respirators are 1.1 times more effective on average than the disposable respirators considered in this report
The slight variation in relative effectivity of particulate respirator types was attributable to the fact that each of the reusable respirators evaluated offers more than one size to fit a range of consumer types, while disposable respirators often do not

Summary

Introduction

The severity of chronic PM 2.5 exposure is still being investigated, several recent studies have begun to establish positive correlations between high levels of particulate air pollution and respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, neuropsychological symptoms, overall hospitalisations, and increases in premature mortality.[2,5,7,8] The. While chronic exposure appears to affect all exposed members of the population, acute exposure to fine particulates has been found to disproportionately affect certain groups, including the elderly, young children, and persons with chronic cardiopulmonary disease, influenza, or asthma.[8,10] For both children and asthmatics, fine particulate exposure leads to increased hospitalisations and respiratory symptoms. This exposure type may have minimum overall health consequences, it affects the day-to-day lives of residents, often causing short-term absence from work or school.[11]. An integrated assessment of particulate respirators used as personal protection from ambient air pollution in Bangkok,

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