Effect of Particle Size on Respirator Faceseal Leakage

The objective of this research was to study the effect of aerosol size on measurement of respirator faceseal leakage. Penetration of aerosols through fixed diameter capillaries, positioned at the respirator-face junction to simulate faceseal leakage, were measured on a dynamic laboratory test system as a function of challenge aerosol size and breathing tidal volume. Four sizes of polystyrene latex (PSL) spheres were used to generate the challenge aerosols. In addition to PSL aerosols, acetone vapor was used as a challenge agent. Penetration measurements made using the vapor challenge agents resulted, in all instances, in higher values than measurements made using aerosols. Vapor penetration was found to be a function of tidal volume. Higher capillary penetration by both vapor and aerosol occurred with the 1,500-ml tidal volume as compared to the 600-ml tidal volume.