Workplace Evaluation of a Disposable Respirator in a Dusty Environment

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Abstract
Industrial hygiene sampling for total airborne particulate during the manufacture of a concrete patching compound revealed concentration estimates which exceeded the ACGIH TLV of 10 mg/m3. These results led to recommendations for the implementation of improved engineering controls and the initiation of a respiratory protection program on an interim basis. The 3M 9910 disposable respirator was selected for use based upon a knowledge of existing total dust concentrations and a review of assigned protection factors for the various classes of respiratory protective devices. A follow-up evaluation by NIOSH investigators revealed that use of 3M 9910 respirators reduced total dust exposures to levels considered to be acceptable, but that the assigned protection factor derived from a set of workplace protection factors was less than anticipated. The results of this study suggest the need for inmask sampling after the implementation of respiratory protection to ensure, in a direct manner, that the particular respirator in service provides at least the minimum level of protection assigned to its class. A practical method for determining an assigned protection factor from a set of workplace protection factors is described which can be easily used by industrial hygienists to establish assigned protection factors for the particular conditions of respirator usage existing at their own facilities.

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