An evaluation of respirator canisters to acrylonitrile vapors

Experimental breakthrough times obtained from evaluating respiratory canisters to acrylonitrile vapors at various concentrations are presented and compared to estimated breakthrough times calculated from Nelson's equation for organic vapors adsorbed on activated carbon. The slope of the regression for breakthrough time vs. concentration of acrylonitrile was found to compare closely to that derived from Nelson's equation in the concentration range from 30 to 1000 ppm. This demonstrates that the equation is capable of predicting breakthrough times for organic compounds which, like acrylonitrile, have low molecular weights and boiling points. This ability to predict service life is also influenced by other important factors such as relative humidity and amount of activated carbon packed in a canister. Results of this evaluation illustrate the need to determine breakthrough times for compounds under controlled conditions similar to those encountered in the field, especially at low concentrations. Industrial hygienists should use experimentally derived breakthrough times to predict the service life of an air purifying device if they are available.