Evaluation of the performance of replaceable particulate and powered air-purifying respirators considering non-recommended wearing methods

• Published in: Industrial Health Vol. 58; no. 6; pp. 573 - 580
• Main Authors: SEKOGUCHI, Shingo, SHIRASAKA, Taiki, ANDO, Hajime, IKEGAMI, Kazunori, OGAMI, Akira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health 01.01.2020; National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan; National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan (JNIOSH)
• Subjects: Case Report; Case studies; Dust; Hazardous materials; Health aspects; Leakage; Leakage rate; Methods; Occupational diseases; Occupational health and safety; Occupational hygiene; Particles; Particulate respirator; Particulates; Performance evaluation; Powered air-purifying respirator; Prevention; Protective equipment; Respirators; Respiratory disease; Respiratory tract diseases; Working conditions; Japan; Occupational hygiene; Particulate respirator; Powered air-purifying respirator; Respiratory disease; Leakage rate
• ISSN: 0019-8366; 1880-8026
• DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2020-0056

This study evaluated the performance of two respirators, a replaceable particulate respirator (RPR) and a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), worn according to non-recommended methods. Ten subjects wore either an RPR or PAPR according to the recommended method, or according to a non-recommended method, with a knit cover placed between the facepiece cushion and face, with a towel placed between the facepiece cushion and face, or with the headband on a helmet. The leakage rate of each wearing variation was then measured, according to the procedure for determining the protection factor of respiratory protective equipment, using atmospheric dust as required by JIS T8150. The average leakage rate for the RPR was 1.82–10.92%, whereas that of the PAPR was 0.18–0.42%. The performance of the RPR decreased when worn in methods outside of recommendations; however, there was no significant decrease in the performance of PAPR under any method of wear. Therefore, a PAPR is recommended for work in which a replaceable or disposable particulate respirator fails to provide sufficient protection against hazardous dust substances, or for workers who are unable to use a particulate respirator according to the recommended method owing to the work environment or health conditions.