Comparative study of challenge aerosols for performance test for dust respirators

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Filtration Technology
• Aerosol Science

Background:

• Current Japanese dust respirator certification relies on quartz dust aerosols.
• International harmonization necessitates exploring alternative test aerosols for respirator approval.
• Broad size distribution aerosols are permissible under existing Japanese standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of dust respirator filters using alternative challenge aerosols.
• To compare collection efficiencies using quartz dust, sodium chloride, and dioctyl sebacate aerosols.
• To assess the suitability of alternative aerosols for respirator certification testing.

Main Methods:

• Collected efficiency data for certified dust respirator cartridges and filtering facepieces.
• Utilized three distinct test aerosols: quartz dust, sodium chloride mist, and dioctyl sebacate mist.
• Employed aerosols with particle sizes smaller than 2 microns for testing.

Main Results:

• A good correlation was observed between collection efficiencies measured with the three different aerosols.
• Penetration levels for sodium chloride and dioctyl sebacate aerosols were over ten times higher than for quartz dust.
• This indicates potential discrepancies in respirator performance evaluation depending on the test aerosol used.

Conclusions:

• Alternative aerosols like sodium chloride and dioctyl sebacate may reveal higher respirator filter penetration than quartz dust.
• Current respirator certification standards may need re-evaluation to ensure consistent performance across different test aerosols.
• Further research is recommended to establish standardized alternative aerosols for global respirator approval.