Protection of the respiratory tract Personal P rotection is a temporary emergency solution

1. Protectionof the respiratorytractPersonal Protectionis a temporaryemergency solution Marianne AnderssonLab Technician Arbets- och miljömedicin

2. Ways of Exposure • Through the skin • Through oesophagus/eating • Through inhalation Most contaminations enter the body by way of the respíratory tract

3. Respiratory Ways & Lungs The total activesurface of the 600 million alveoles is 75 - 100 m2

4. Program for protection of the respiratory tract The program shouldcontain as follows: • Identification of dangeroustargetcompounds • Risk assessment • Technical actions tominimize the risks • The choice of suitablerespiratoryprotectionequipment • Education in adjustment and maintenance of the equipment • Appointment and education of a competentperson • Ddocument all actions Equipment for the protection of the respiratory tract cannot be given to the userexpectingthat it willautomaticallygiveenoughprotection. SS-EN 529:2005 AFS 2001:03 ändringar AFS 2009:08, AFS 2010:11

5. Responsibilities • The employer • Create and operate a program for the protection of the respiratory tract • Supplysuitableprotection for the breathingzone • Educateusers – adjustment and maintenance of the equipment • Supervise that the program is followed • Document • The employee • Follow the program • Use the equipment in the prescribed way • Report problems that mayoccurduringuse Standard EN 529:2005, AFS 2001:3

6. Limitations The use of filters has apparent limitations and must not be usedwhen1) there is a risk of shortage of oxygen (less than 17 volumepercent) 2) the contamination is not known 3) therearelevels so high that there is an acute risk for life and health 4) the contamination is so toxic that there is an acute risk for life and health 5) The authoritiesprescribeprotectionequipmentwith a higherprotectionlevel

7. Aerosols Dividedinto3 groups 1. Inhalable (≤100 μm) 2. Thoracic (≤10 μm) 3. Respirable (≤4,5 μm)

8. Particle Filter • The protectionneededwilldepend on the concentrationofparticles • The particle filters P1, P2 och P3 should not be chosen from particlesize • All particle filters are tested for the particle size that is the most difficult to filtrate away. • BUT • P1 must not be usedagainstcancerogenic, radioactivetargets, microorganismssuch as viruses and spores or biochemicalssuch as enzymes and hormones • P1 och P2 must not be usedagainstmicroorganismssuch as viruses and sporesor biochemicalssuch as enzymesand hormones • P3 willprotectagainst all kinds of particles

9. Changing Filters • Whenshould the Filters be changed? • When it has beendamaged or affected by violence • When the breathingresistance has increased in an obvious way – the moreparticles in the filter the moreefficient the filtering

10. Gas Filters • Supposedto be used as a protectionagainstmosttypes of gases. • Dividedinto different classesaccordingcapacity • Dividedinto different classesaccording the target gas theyareintendedto stop • OBS! There are substances which filter protection is inappropriate to use • To decidewhether a filter protection is suitable in a special case, pleasecontact AV or the supplier of the equipment. Control what is recommended in AFS 2011:18 "Hygieniska gränsvärden och åtgärder mot luftföroreningar” (OccupationalExposure Limits and measuresto be taken against air pollution).

11. Change of Gas Filters, No simple answers! StoringA gas filter starts workingwhen the wrapping is opened. Storage of the gas filter (when not in use) is veryimportant. ConcentrationThe concentration of the targetcompound is a veryimportantaspectwhenmakingdecisionsabout the length of life for the filter. HumidityThe humidity is an important parameter and normallyonesays that the higher the humidity the shorterlength of life for the filter.

12. Exchange of Gas Filters Summary • The calculationof the life span for the gas filter must be doneindividually and be updatedcontinouslyaccordingto the physicalcapacity of the wearer. • The safestmethod is to ask the suppliertojudge the life span of the filter, for instance through capacitymeasurements on filters thathavebeenused in the environment in question. • The mostimportant part of the breathingprotection program is tocreate a policy for the replacementof filters.

13. Fit testingof the BreathingProtection • If the breathingprotection is workingcorrectly is always a question for the individualperson, sinceeverybody looks differently!!! • Breathingprotectionshouldalways be tested on the intendeduserbefore coming intouse in a workingplace! • Contact the supplier for guidance in selecting the best alternative when it comesto different alternatives (sizes, different models, different kinds of protectionand so on). • Educationof the intendeduser is imperative for a breathingprotectionto be chosen and fit testedcorrectly.

14. Check yourBreathingProtectionRapid test • Tighten the filter or the air inlet with for instance a plastic film. Take a deepbreath and holdyourbreath. Then the mask willtightenagainstyour face. The mask has tostaytightened for at least 10 sec. • Soak a ragwith for instance Butyl acetate. Thereafterlet the person who is to be testedenter the room. Wave the rag in front of him/herespeciallyaround the edges of the mask where it should be tightenedaround the face. The strong smellwillpenetrate the slightestopening. ADI 38

15. BreathingProtection Leakage through: • Filter • Exhalation ventilation • Between face and mask

16. Mask withFastened Filters Filteringhalf mask with inhalation and exhalation ventilation. Cover at leastnose and mouth Standard EN 405:2001

17. Half Mask / Quarter Mask • Half masks cover nose, mouth and chin. • Quarter masks cover nose and mouth. • The air will pass either through a filter or be taken from, for example, a compressor. • The expiration air will pass through the exhalation ventilation. Standard EN 140:1999

18. Whole Mask • Cover eyes, nose, mouth and chin. • The air will pass through a filter or be taken from, for instance, a compressor. • The exhalation air will pass through ventilation ducts/tubes. Three classes Standard EN 136:1998

19. Fan Assisted Filter Protection • The main part is not closelyfittedagainst the face - visor or hood • Suitable for userswhocannotuse a whole or half mask, for examplepeoplewithbeards. • Standardized and approved as a full/complete equipment. • The different parts of the breathing equipment have to be approved together to be allowed to be combined with each other. Standard EN 12941:1998

20. ExcapeProtection Filters

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