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2749691 
Journal Article 
Penetration of Respirator Filters by an Asbestos Aerosol 
Ortiz, LW; Soderholm, SC; Valdez, FO 
1988 
Yes 
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal
ISSN: 0002-8894 
NIOSH/00181935 
49 
9 
451-460 
English 
3177224 
WOS:A1988P847500006 
The penetration of respirator filters by a fibrous asbestos (1332214) was examined. Penetration was determined under various conditions including brief preexposure of the respirator filters to di(2-ethylhexyl)sebacate (DEHS), filters used fresh from the package, extended preexposure of filters to DEHS, storage of the filter models at high humidity, and preexposure of the filters to water mist. Of the five filter models used, only Model-C indicated some penetrations greater than 0.1 percent in each test series. Model-C filters were unique in that they contained a flexible, multipleated medium which has sharp parallel creases as an aid for folding the mask into a compact package. The relatively high and variable fiber penetrations observed with Model-C respirator filters were not considered to have been caused by experimental errors. Only a slight correlation was noted between DEHS penetration results and corresponding, subsequent chrysotile (12001295) penetration values, suggesting that primary collection mechanisms were different for this submicron oil aerosol and the chrysotile aerosol. Preloading of the filters with 30 to 60 milligrams of DEHS oil aerosol adversely affected the collection efficiency of all but one filter, the Model-A high efficiency respiratory filter. Storage at high humidity and elevated temperatures, exposure to extended periods of high humidity and room temperature environments, and preexposure of filter media to water mist affected the penetration of the fibers. The authors suggest that additional fiber/filter penetration studies be performed using well dispersed amphibole asbestos fibers to assess the fiber penetration and therefore user protection afforded by the filters. 
Aerosols; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Asbestos; 1332-21-4; Index Medicus; Humidity; Permeability; Asbestos -- analysis; Respiratory Protective Devices; Protective Devices; Air Pollutants, Occupational -- analysis