Abstract
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The catastrophic 2019/20 summer bushfire season highlighted the lack of an appropriate
respiratory protection program for RFS firefighters. Images of firefighters ill-equipped to protect
their respiratory health bombarded the media daily. In July, the NSW RFS released a tender
document for the provision of respiratory protection equipment (RPE), with half face P2 respirators
nominated for most frontline operations.
Whilst bushfire emissions contain a cocktail of respirable toxic and carcinogenic substances such
as PAH���s and nanoparticles; the efficacy of P2 filtration against these substances has not been
evaluated.
Previous research conducted by the University of Wollongong 1,2 has demonstrated lower
than expected performance of RPE commonly used for thermally generated particles. With the
generous support of the AIOH Foundation and the NSW RFS, this work was extended to assess
the efficacy of RPE against bushfire emissions. Respirator filtration efficiency was evaluated for
respirable particulates, PAHs and nanoparticles.
The findings of this study will inform the NSW RFS and other agencies of the efficacy of respiratory
protection to control exposure to bushfire emissions and enable better management of the health
risk for their volunteers. It will also contribute to respirator manufacturers��� knowledge to improve
the design and filtration required for use against bushfire emissions to protect the health of
firefighters.