Protection of the respiratory
tract
Personal Protection
is a temporary emergency solution
Marianne Andersson
Lab Technician
Arbets- och miljömedicin
Ways of Exposure
• Through the skin
• Through oesophagus/eating
•Through inhalation
Most contaminations enter the body by way of
the respíratory tract
Respiratory Ways & Lungs
The total active surface
of the 600 million
alveoles is 75 - 100 m2
Program for protection of the respiratory tract
The program should contain as follows:
• Identification of dangerous target compounds
• Risk assessment
• Technical actions to minimize the risks
• The choice of suitable respiratory protection equipment
• Education in adjustment and maintenance of the equipment
• Appointment and education of a competent person
• Ddocument all actions
Equipment for the protection of the respiratory tract cannot be
given to the user expecting that it will automatically give enough
protection.
SS-EN 529:2005
AFS 2001:03 ändringar AFS 2009:08, AFS 2010:11
Responsibilities
The employer
• Create and operate a program for the protection of the respiratory tract
• Supply suitable protection for the breathing zone
• Educate users – 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 may occur during use
Standard EN 529:2005, AFS 2001:3
Limitations
The use of filters has apparent limitations and must not be used when
1) there is a risk of shortage of oxygen (less than 17 volume percent)
2) the contamination is not known
3) there are levels 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 authorities prescribe protection equipment with a higher protection
level
Aerosols
Divided into 3 groups
1. Inhalable (≤100 μm)
2. Thoracic (≤10 μm)
3. Respirable (≤4,5 μm)
Particle Filter
• The protection needed will depend on the concentration of particles
• The particle filters P1, P2 och P3 should not be chosen from particle size
• All particle filters are tested for the particle size that is the most difficult to
filtrate away.
BUT
• P1 must not be used against cancerogenic, radioactive targets,
microorganisms such as viruses and spores or biochemicals such as
enzymes and hormones
• P1 och P2 must not be used against microorganisms such as viruses
and spores or biochemicals such as enzymes and hormones
• P3 will protect against all kinds of particles
Changing Filters
When should the Filters be changed?
• When it has been damaged or affected by violence
• When the breathing resistance has increased in an obvious
way – the more particles in the filter the more efficient the
filtering
Gas Filters
• Supposed to be used as a protection against most types of gases.
• Divided into different classes according capacity
• Divided into different classes according the target gas they are intended to
stop
• OBS! There are substances which filter protection is inappropriate to use
• To decide whether a filter protection is suitable in a special case, please
contact AV or the supplier of the equipment. Control what is recommended in
AFS 2011:18 "Hygieniska gränsvärden och åtgärder mot luftföroreningar”
(Occupational Exposure Limits and measures to be taken against air
pollution).
Change of Gas Filters,
No simple answers!
Storing
A gas filter starts working when the wrapping is opened.
Storage of the gas filter (when not in use) is very important.
Concentration
The concentration of the target compound is a very important aspect when making
decisions about the length of life for the filter.
Humidity
The humidity is an important parameter and normally one says that the higher the humidity
the shorter length of life for the filter.
Exchange of Gas Filters
Summary
• The calculation of the life span for the gas filter must be done individually and be
updated continously according to the physical capacity of the wearer.
• The safest method is to ask the supplier to judge the life span of the filter,
for instance through capacity measurements on filters that
have been used in the environment in question.
• The most important part of the breathing protection program is to
create a policy for the replacement of filters.
Fit testing of the Breathing Protection
• If the breathing protection is working correctly is always a question for the individual
person, since everybody looks differently!!!
• Breathing protection should always be tested on the intended user
before coming into use in a working place!
• Contact the supplier for guidance in selecting the best alternative when it comes to
different alternatives (sizes, different models, different kinds of protection and so on).
• Education of the intended user is imperative for a breathing protection
to be chosen and fit tested correctly.
Check your Breathing Protection
Rapid test
• Tighten the filter or the air inlet
with for instance a plastic film.
Take a deep breath and hold your
breath. Then the mask will tighten
against your face. The mask has
to stay tightened for at least 10
sec.
• Soak a rag with for instance Butyl
acetate. Thereafter let the person
who is to be tested enter the
room. Wave the rag in front of
him/her especially around the
edges of the mask where it should
be tightened around the face. The
strong smell will penetrate the
slightest opening.
ADI 38
Breathing Protection
Leakage through:
•
•
•
Filter
Exhalation ventilation
Between face and mask
Mask with Fastened Filters
Filtering half mask with inhalation and
exhalation ventilation.
Cover at least nose and mouth
Standard EN 405:2001
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
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
Class 1
Whole masks for easy work
Class 2
Whole masks for average work
Class 3
Whole masks for special use, for example fire fighters equipped
with smoke helmets
Standard EN 136:1998
Fan Assisted Filter Protection
• The main part is not closely fitted against the face visor or hood
• Suitable for users who cannot use a whole or half mask,
for example people with beards.
• 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
Excape Protection Filters
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