Abstract
ABSTRACTThroughout the years, the performance of the FFRs has been the topic of extensive studies, resulting mainly in the characterization of aerosol penetration through filters using aerosols that are thought to be similar to those encountered in workplaces. There are limited number of studies in the literature reporting CE-marked respirator performance, and there is a need to perform a penetration evaluation of CE-marked respirators through all 3 filtering classes: FFP1 (80%), FFP2 (94%), and FFP3 (99%). In this study, the percentage penetrations and the most penetrating particle size (MPPS) of 47 mm filters cut out from 13 different CE-marked respirator half masks (2 samples of each FFR) were evaluated size-selectively using nine sizes of charge-neutralized monodisperse aerosol, which ranged from 20 to 400 nm (CMD). Comparison of the penetrations at MPPS from all the examined filters showed that the percentage penetration ranged 3.2–16.3% (FFP1), 2.4–34.3% (FFP2), and 0.02–3.3% (FFP3). Experimental data also revealed that the penetration difference between 2 samples from the same respirator was in most cases up to 6.8%, and between 2 identical respirators up to 2.5%. The MPPS was found to be between 30 and 60 nm (CMD) in all measurements. By comparing the obtained results to the European Standard we conclude that the standard method underestimates particle penetration (especially for particles < 100 nm) due to the usage of non neutralized, polydisperse test aerosol, detection methods burdened with measurement artifacts, and the assumption that the MPPS is at ≈ 600 nm (MMD) as the criterion for filtering facepieces to pass the penetration test.
Highlights
Various industrial processes produce a wide range of aerosol particles of different composition and size
By comparing the obtained results to the European Standard we conclude that the standard method underestimates particle penetration due to the usage of non-neutralized, polydisperse test aerosol, detection methods burdened with measurement artifacts, and the assumption that the most penetrating particle size (MPPS) is at ≈ 600 nm (MMD) as the criterion for filtering facepieces to pass the penetration test
All three respirators were within the FFP1 maximum penetration limit of 20%, the measurements showed a rather wide differences between filters from respirator 1, which had median penetration (CMD) at MPPS equal to 13.9%, and filters from Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) 3 and 10, which had penetrations reaching 4.9 and 4.1%, respectively
Summary
Various industrial processes produce a wide range of aerosol particles of different composition and size. Workers in these workplaces may be exposed to a broad range of aerosol particles possibly causing adverse health effects (Flanagan et al, 2003; Muller et al, 2005; Donaldson et al, 2006; Poland et al, 2008). Many organizations worldwide recommend protective respiratory devices as a preventative form of protecting workers from exposure to hazardous aerosol particles. All respirators must be approved and tested to the performance requirements of the corresponding European Standard (ES), which forms the following categories: filtering half masks, half masks and quarter masks, full face masks, powered air respirators, and supplied air respirators. Legislation of European Standards for filtering half masks is covered by EN 149:2001
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
