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Evaluation of the filtration performance of 21 N95 filtering facepiece respirators after prolonged storage.

Authors

Viscusi-DJ; Bergman-M; Sinkule-E; Shaffer-RE

Source

Am J Infect Control 2009 Jun; 37(5):381-386

Link

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2008.09.021 

NIOSHTIC No.

20034679 

Abstract

Background: Organizations are stockpiling respirators to prepare for an influenza pandemic. To better understand the effects of prolonged storage, this investigation evaluated the filtration efficiency of 21 different models of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-certified disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators. These respirators had been stored in their original packaging for a period of at least six years in research laboratories and dry warehouse facilities, ranging in temperature between 15°C-32ºC and relative humidity between 20-80%RH. Methods: Filter penetration was measured using an abbreviated version of the NIOSH respirator certification test incorporating a polydisperse sodium chloride aerosol at 85 L/min. Results: Of the 21 respirator models tested, 19 models had both average penetration results of less than 5%. Mean initial penetration values ranged from 0.39% to 5.83%, while mean maximum penetration values ranged from 0.95% to 5.83%. There did not appear to be any correlation between the length of storage and failure to pass the filtration test. Conclusions: Results indicate that most N95 filtering facepiece respirators stored for up to ten years at warehouse conditions will likely have expected levels of filtration performance and the degree of filtration efficiency degradation is likely model specific.

Keywords

Filters; Filter-materials; Filter-fabrics; Respirators; Respiratory-protective-equipment; Personal-protective-equipment; Personal-protection; Infectious-diseases

Contact

Ronald E. Shaffer, Ph.D., Chief, Technology Research Branch, National Personal Protective Technology Lab (NPPTL), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Bui

CODEN

AJICDC

Publication Date

20090601

Document Type

Journal Article

Email Address

RShaffer@cdc.gov

Fiscal Year

2009

NTIS Accession No.

NTIS Price

Issue of Publication

5

ISSN

0196-6553

NIOSH Division

NPPTL

Priority Area

Healthcare and Social Assistance

Source Name

American Journal of Infection Control

State

PA