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Document ID (ISN)58733
CIS number 92-1635
ISSN - Serial title 1047-322X - Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
Year 1991
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Oestenstad R.K., Zwissler A.M.
Title Comparison of fit provided by natural and silicone rubber facepieces of the same brand of half-mask respirator
Bibliographic information Sep. 1991, Vol.6, No.9, p.785-789. Illus. 19 ref.
Abstract The fit provided by natural and silicone rubber facepieces of the same brand and size of half-mask respirator were compared by performing multiple fit tests on 45 subjects. The tests consisted of a six-exercise protocol while measuring the penetration of ambient room aerosols. The fit factors for the silicone rubber facepiece were found to be significantly greater than those for the natural rubber facepiece. It was noted that the maximum and minimum fit factors obtained with the natural rubber facepiece were higher than those for the silicone rubber facepiece. The variability of fit factors for the silicone rubber facepiece was also found to be higher than that of the natural rubber facepiece. This would affect the calculation of fit factor lower tolerance limits and should be considered in estimating the lowest likely fit provided by a respirator for an individual or a group of wearers.
Descriptors (primary) silicone rubber; natural rubber; leakage testing; facepieces; respirators
Descriptors (secondary) statistical evaluation; comparative study; test aerosol generation
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceUSA
Subject(s) Personal protection
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Respiratory protection