Identification of faceseal leak sites on a half-mask respirator.
A method has been developed to identify the location and shape of respirator faceseal leak sites by the deposition of a fluorescent tracer. An aerosol generation, conditioning, and exposure system to provide a test environment with stable aerosol concentration and size distribution of 4-methyl-7-diethylaminocoumarin was designed and tested. Faceseal leak sites on a respirator mounted on a mannequin and worn by human subjects were identified by deposition of the tracer aerosol and subsequent observation under long-wave ultraviolet lighting. Test parameters were identified for the optimal definition of leaks. Photographic techniques were developed to document the identified leak sites.
Oestenstad
R K
RK
School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Perkins
J L
JL
Rose
V E
VE
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D003374:Coumarins; D004282:Documentation; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D011482:Protective Devices; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices
D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D003374:Coumarins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C002166:4-methyl-7-diethylaminocoumarin