Studying the Efficiency of Respiratory Masks Used By Workers in Refractory Companies for Controlling Exposure to Refractory Ceramic Fibers and Particles in a Steel Industry

Abstract

Background: Use of air purifier masks is one of the ways to reduce exposure to harmful respiratory pollutants in the workplace. The present research was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of respiratory masks used by refractory workers in controlling refractory ceramic fibers (RCF) and particles in a steel industry. Methods: In this study, three types of masks, namely FFP3 (APOLO), FFP2 (3MAX), and 3M elastomeric half-face mask with P100 filter against particle pollutants and FFP3 (APOLO) masks against fibrous contaminants were evaluated. To investigate penetration percentage and efficiency of the mask, the concentrations of particles were measured outside (C-out)and inside (C-in) the masks. The number of samples for each mask was 20. Results: The result showed that mean penetration of total particles in FFP3, FFP2, and 3M elastomeric half-face mask with P100 filter is 10.92, 9.4, and 4.37, respectively. On the other hand, the mean penetration of respirable particles in FFP3, FFP2, and 3M elastomeric half-face mask with P100 filter was 40.76,14.26, and 2.07, respectively. The evaluation of the FFP3 (APOLO) mask against fibrous contaminants showed that this mask does not have a good efficiency against fibrous contaminants and provides a penetration of 15.1. Conclusions: The faceseal leakage due to inappropriate fitting of the mask on the face and the high surface resistance the mask against airflow can be a major cause for poor efficiency of the masks.