Jones, Alison L. Prof

<p>Given the potential for serious health impacts to exposed workers, just how efficient is respiratory protection against acute and chronic chemical agents?</p><p>Current research being undertaken by Jane Whitelaw and PhD Candidate Kerrie Burton  builds on her 30-year industry and standards development experience and previous research into the efficiency of such respiratory protection.</p><p>In the latest series of studies, exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) is examined. DPM is a major issue in many industrial workplaces including the potential to develop lung cancer and adverse irritant and cardiovascular effects.</p><p>Personal respiratory protective devices are an accepted safety measure to mitigate worker exposure against the potentially damaging health impacts of DPM.</p><p>To be protective, they need to act as effective filters against carbon and other particulates. In Australia, the filtering efficiency of respiratory protective devices is determined by challenging test filter media with aerosolised sodium chloride to determine penetration at designated flow rates.</p><p>However, testing of respiratory protective devices does not account for the differences between characteristics of workplace contaminants like DPM and the test agent sodium chloride, taking into account structure, composition, and particle size.</p><p>Studies to date suggest that the testing methodology specified for certification of personal respiratory protective devices by Standards Australia may not ensure adequate protection for respirator users against DPM under all circumstances of diesel generated particles.</p><p>Funding sources for the project have included the Coal Services Health and Safety Trust and WorkCover Authority of NSW. Partners in the project are Safety Equipment Australia, Coal Services and ERP Engineering.</p>