Protective clothing standards, such as test methods published by ASTM International, play an integral role in ensuring the performance of personal protective equipment. The standard tests are not without limitations and are periodically reviewed and often updated. Some tests may not be reflective of in-use conditions. A new test cell was designed using sanitary fixtures to evaluate the effect of glove stretch on barrier performance using fluorescein solution as the challenge agent for enhanced visualization and fluorometer detection. Domed-shaped and flat screens were developed to permit and limit glove stretch within the test cell. The barrier performance of glove swatches was evaluated for both stretched and unstretched states. Latex, nitrile, and vinyl glove models of various thicknesses were evaluated. The tests were conducted following pressure and time parameters specified in ASTM F903, ASTM F1670, and ASTM F1671. Fluorescein solution movement, which may occur through penetration, was measured using a fluorometer. Glove stretch caused a reduction in glove thickness ranging from 16% to 40%. Overall, 21 sample failures were found (16.7%; n = 126) regardless of test condition. Nitrile gloves provided better barrier efficacy with the lowest failure rates (2.38%; 1 failure out of 42) compared to latex (19.4%; 7 failures out of 36) and vinyl gloves (27.1%; 13 failures out of 48). Differences in failure rates between stretched and unstretched gloves were insignificant; however, the latex material showed a 2.5 times increase in failures when stretched compared to unstretched. The new test apparatus was able to differentiate between the barrier performance of different glove materials. The use of a domed screen allowed the gloves to stretch, a condition that better represents the state of gloves when in use. Analysis of samples collected from the glove surface opposite to the exposure may provide a way to assess chemical permeation in addition to penetration.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends the use of nitrile gloves with a minimum thickness of 5.0 ± 2.0 mil [0.127 ± 0.051 millimeters] in situations where it is suspected or known that fentanyl or other illicit drugs are present. However, there is limited data available on fentanyl permeation through gloves. Current test methods used to measure fentanyl permeation do not consider the effect of glove fit and flexion. Furthermore, first responders need to have PPE readily available in the field, and storage conditions may affect the protective performance of the gloves. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of glove stretch and storage temperatures on glove durability and barrier performance against fentanyl. Nine nitrile glove models previously shown to be resistant to fentanyl permeation were selected for this investigation. These nine models were stretched 25% in one linear direction, to consider glove fit and flexion, and tested against fentanyl hydrochloride permeation. Additionally, four of the nine glove models were stored at 48 °C, 22 °C, and -20 °C, and evaluated for tensile strength, ultimate elongation, and puncture resistance after up to 16 wk of storage and fentanyl permeation after up to 8 wk of storage. At least one sample for six of the nine tested models had maximum permeation over the test method fail threshold when stretched. The tested storage temperatures showed no effect on glove tensile strength, ultimate elongation, and puncture resistance. The findings of this study can be used to inform PPE recommendations, with consideration to storage practices and proper sizing for first responders with potential exposure to fentanyl and other illicit drugs. The results of this study can be used to assess the need for new standard test methods to evaluate the barrier performance of gloves and shelf-life determination with consideration to glove fit.

Both respirators and surgical masks (SM) are used as source control devices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was much interest in understanding the extent of particle total outward leakage (TOL) from these devices. The objective of this study was to quantify the TOL for five categories of devices: SMs, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH®) Approved N95(®) filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) without exhalation valves, NIOSH Approved N95 FFRs with exhalation valves (N95 FFRV), NIOSH Approved elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) with exhalation valves, and NIOSH Approved EHMRs with an SM covering the exhalation valve (EHMRSM). A benchtop test system was designed to test two models of each device category. Each device was mounted on a headform at three faceseal levels (0% faceseal, 50% faceseal, and 100% faceseal). At each faceseal level, the TOL was assessed at three flowrates of minute ventilations of 17, 28, and 39 L/min. The experimental design was a split-split-plot configuration. Device type, faceseal level, flowrate, and the interaction of device type and faceseal level were found to have a significant effect ( P - Value <0.05) on the TOL.This study found that the N95 FFRs without exhalation valves had the lowest mean TOL. The SMs had about three times higher TOL than the N95 FFRs without exhalation valves. The TOL of the N95 FFRV was comparable to that of the SM at 0% and 50% faceseal on average over all conditions, but the N95 FFRV had a significantly higher TOL than the SM at a 100% faceseal. The EHMRs had the highest TOL because of the exhalation valve. Using an SM to cover the exhalation valve did not improve the EHMRs' efficiency in mitigating the TOL. Caution should be exercised when using N95 FFRVs as a source control measure against respiratory activities with heavy work rates, such as performing CPR. Results of this study showed that reduced faceseal leakage for N95 FFRs and SMs improves source control.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the exposure of surgical personnel to known carcinogens during pediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) and compare the efficacy of surgical smoke evacuation systems during T&A. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, case series. SETTING: Tertiary children's hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study assessed operating room workers' exposure to chemical compounds and aerosolized particulates generated during T&A. We also investigated the effect of 3 different smoke-controlling methods: smoke-evacuator pencil cautery (SE), cautery with suction held by an assistant (SA), and cautery without suction (NS). RESULTS: Thirty cases were included: 12 in the SE group, 9 in SA, and 9 in NS. The chemical exposure levels were lower than or similar to baseline background concentrations, with the exception of methylene chloride and acetaldehyde. Within the surgical plume, none of the chemical compounds exceeded the corresponding occupational exposure limit (OEL). The mean particulate number concentration in the breathing zone during tonsillectomy was 508 particles/cm(3) for SE compared to 1661 particles/cm(3) for SA and 8208 particles/cm(3) for NS cases. NS was significantly different compared to the other two methods (P = .0009). CONCLUSIONS: Although the exposure levels to chemicals were considerably lower than the OELs, continuous exposures to these chemicals could cause adverse health effects to surgical personnel. These findings suggest that the use of a smoke-evacuator pencil cautery or an attentive assistant with handheld suction would reduce exposure levels to the aerosolized particles during routine T&A, compared to the use of cautery without suction.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the effect of monopolar electrocautery (EC) settings on surgical plume particulate concentration during pediatric tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: During total tonsillectomy exclusively performed with EC, air was sampled with a surgeon-worn portable particle counter. The airborne mean and maximum particle concentrations were compared for tonsillectomy performed with EC at 12 W vs 20 W, with smoke evacuation system (SES) and no smoke evacuation (NS). RESULTS: A total of 36 children were included in this analysis: 9 cases with EC at 12 W and SES (12SES), 9 cases with EC at 20 W and SES (20SES), 9 cases with EC at 12 W without SES (12NS), and 9 cases with EC at 20 W without SES (20NS). Mean particle number concentration in the breathing zone during tonsillectomy was 1661 particles/cm(3) for 12SES, 5515 particles/cm(3) for 20SES, 8208 particles/cm(3) for 12NS, and 78,506 particles/cm(3) for 20NS. There was a statistically significant difference in the particle number concentrations among the 4 groups. The correlation between the particle number concentration and EC time was either moderate (for 12SES) or negative (for remaining groups). CONCLUSION: Airborne particle concentrations during tonsillectomy are over 9.5 times higher when EC is set at 20 W vs 12 W with NS, which is mitigated to 3.3 times with SES. Applying lower EC settings with SES during pediatric tonsillectomy significantly reduces surgical plume exposure for patients, surgeons, and operating room personnel, which is a well-known occupational health hazard.

This study experimentally evaluates the performance of different sorbent tubes for sampling acetone vapor in workplace air. A dynamic atmosphere system produced an acetone alone and a mixture with other analytes containing ~73, 483, and 1898 microg acetone mass loading at 25, 50, and 75% relative humidity (RH) at 25 degrees C. Sorbent samples were analyzed in accordance with OSHA Method 69 (Carbosieve S-III) and NMAM 1501, modified to use Anasorb 747 sorbent. Both methods were modified to include the additional analytes. Additional extraction procedures with and without 1% dimethylformamide and anhydrous magnesium sulfate were included in the modified NMAM 1501 using Anasorb 747. Silica gel sorbent tubes analyzed according to NMAM 2027 were included. There were significant reductions in the recovery of acetone from both Anasorb 747 and Carbosieve S-III collected from air at 75% RH, relative to collection at 25 or 50% RH at very low loading compared with that of samples collected at mid to high loading. Silica gel provided a consistent recovery of acetone at all RHs and in the presence of other chemical interferences at 75% RH. The likely cause of mass dependence may arise from the humidity effect on acetone adsorption onto both beaded active carbon and carbon molecular sieve either in sampling or in analysis. The present study confirms not only previous observations but also adds to the literature showing carbonaceous sorbents are not well suited for sampling ketones at high humidity and low concentration.

Background: Operating room personnel have the potential to be exposed to surgical smoke, the by-product of using electrocautery or laser surgical device, on a daily basis. Surgical smoke is made up of both biological by-products and chemical pollutants that have been shown to cause eye, skin and pulmonary irritation. Methods: In this study, surgical smoke was collected in real time in cell culture media by using an electrocautery surgical device to cut and coagulate human breast tissues. Airborne particle number concentration and particle distribution were determined by direct reading instruments. Airborne concentration of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined by evacuated canisters. Head space analysis was conducted to quantify dissolved VOCs in cell culture medium. Human small airway epithelial cells (SAEC) and RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages (RAW) were exposed to surgical smoke in culture media for 24 h and then assayed for cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide production. Results: Our results demonstrated that surgical smoke-generated from human breast tissues induced cytotoxicity and LDH increases in both the SAEC and RAW. However, surgical smoke did not induce superoxide production in the SAEC or RAW. Conclusion: These data suggest that the surgical smoke is cytotoxic in vitro and support the previously published data that the surgical smoke may be an occupational hazard to healthcare workers.

The objective of this present study was to evaluate the performance of a portable gas chromatograph horizontal line photoionization detector (GC-PID), under various test conditions to determine if it could be used in occupational settings. A mixture of seven volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - acetone, ethylbenzene, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and o-xylene - was selected because its components are commonly present in paint manufacturing industries. A full-factorial combination of four concentration levels (exposure scenarios) of VOC mixtures, three different temperatures (25 C, 30 C, and 35 C), and three relative humidities (RHs; 25%, 50%, and 75%) was conducted in a full- size controlled environmental chamber. Three repetitions were conducted for each test condition allowing for estimation of accuracy. Time-weighted average exposure data were collected using solid sorbent tubes (Anasorb 747, SKC Inc.) as the reference sampling medium. Calibration curves of Frog-4000 using the dry gases showed R(2) > 0.99 for all analytes except for toluene (R(2) = 0.97). Frog-4000 estimates within a test condition showed good consistency for the performance of repeated measurement. However, there was approximately 41-64% reduction in the analysis of polar acetone with 75% RH relative to collection at 25% RH. Although Frog-4000 results correlated well with solid sorbent tubes (r = 0.808-0.993, except for toluene) most of the combinations regardless of analyte did not meet the < 25% accuracy criterion recommended by NIOSH. The effect of chromatographic co-elution can be seen with m, p-xylene when the results are compared to the sorbent tube sampling technique with GC-flame ionization detector. The results indicated an effect of humidity on the quantification of the polar compounds that might be attributed to the pre-concentrator placed in the selected GC-PID. Further investigation may resolve the humidity effect on sorbent trap with micro GC pre-concentrator when water vapor is present. Although this instrument does not fulfill the accuracy criterion specified in the NIOSH technical report No. 2012-162, it can be used as a screening tool for range finding monitoring with dry gases calibration in the occupational setting rather than compliance monitoring.

This experimental study aimed to evaluate airborne particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from surgical smoke when a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system is in place. Surgical smoke was generated from human tissue in an unoccupied operating room using an electrocautery surgical device for 15 minutes with three different test settings; 1) without LEV control, 2) control with a wall irrigation suction unit with an in-line ultra-low penetration air filter and 3) control with a smoke evacuation system. Flow rate of LEVs was approximately 35 L/min and suction was maintained within 5 cm of electrocautery interaction site. A total of 6 experiments were conducted. Particle number and mass concentrations were measured using direct reading instruments including a condensation particle counter (CPC), a light-scattering laser photometer (DustTrak DRX), a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) and a viable particle counter. Selected VOCs were collected using evacuated canisters using grab, personal and area sampling techniques. The largest average particle and VOCs concentrations were found in the absence of LEV control followed by LEV controls. Average ratios of LEV controls to without LEV control ranged 0.24-0.33 (CPC), 0.28-0.39 (SMPS), 0.14-0.31 (DustTrak DRX), 0.26-0.55 (APS). Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol were dominant in the canister samples. Acetaldehyde, acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, hexane, styrene and toluene were detected but at lower concentrations (<500 mug/m(3)) and concentrations of the VOCs were much less than the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure limit values. Utilization of the LEVs for surgical smoke control can significantly reduce but not completely eliminate airborne particles and VOCs.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies face a number of challenges in interpreting and reconciling short-duration (seconds to minutes) readings from mobile and handheld air sensors with the longer duration averages (hours to days) associated with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the criteria pollutants-particulate matter (PM), ozone, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides. Similar issues are equally relevant to the hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) where chemical-specific health effect reference values are the best indicators of exposure limits; values which are often based on a lifetime of continuous exposure. A multi-agency, staff-level Air Sensors Health Group (ASHG) was convened in 2013. ASHG represents a multi-institutional collaboration of Federal agencies devoted to discovery and discussion of sensor technologies, interpretation of sensor data, defining the state of sensor-related science across each institution, and provides consultation on how sensors might effectively be used to meet a wide range of research and decision support needs. ASHG focuses on several fronts: improving the understanding of what hand-held sensor technologies may be able to deliver; communicating what hand-held sensor readings can provide to a number of audiences; the challenges of how to integrate data generated by multiple entities using new and unproven technologies; and defining best practices in communicating health-related messages to various audiences. This review summarizes the challenges, successes, and promising tools of those initial ASHG efforts and Federal agency progress on crafting similar products for use with other NAAQS pollutants and the HAPs. NOTE: The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessary represent the opinions of their Federal Agencies or the US Government. Mention of product names does not constitute endorsement.

Rock dusting is used to prevent secondary explosions in coal mines, but inhalation of rock dusts can be hazardous if the crystalline silica (e.g., quartz) content in the respirable fraction is high. The objective of this study is to assess the quartz content and physical characteristics of four selected rock dusts, consisting of limestone or marble in both treated (such as treatment with stearic acid or stearates) and untreated forms. Four selected rock dusts (an untreated and treated limestone and an untreated and treated marble) were aerosolized in an aerosol chamber. Respirable size-selective sampling was conducted along with particle size-segregated sampling using a Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analyses were used to determine quartz mass and particle morphology, respectively. Quartz percentage in the respirable dust fraction of untreated and treated forms of the limestone dust was significantly higher than in bulk samples, but since the bulk percentage was low the enrichment factor would not have resulted in any major change to conclusions regarding the contribution of respirable rock dust to the overall airborne quartz concentration. The quartz percentage in the marble dust (untreated and treated) was very low and the respirable fractions showed no enrichment. The spectra from SEM-EDX analysis for all materials were predominantly from calcium carbonate, clay, and gypsum particles. No free quartz particles were observed. The four rock dusts used in this study are representative of those presented for use in rock dusting, but the conclusions may not be applicable to all available materials.

The objective of the present study is to compare and characterize nylon, polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane filters that might be used to replace the vinyl/acrylic co-polymer (DM-450) filter currently used in the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) P-7 method (Quartz Analytical Method) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Manual of Analytical Methods 7603 method (QUARTZ in coal mine dust, by IR re-deposition). This effort is necessary because the DM-450 filters are no longer commercially available. For example, the MSHA Pittsburgh laboratory alone analyses annually approximately 15,000 samples according to the MSHA P-7 method that requires DM-450 filters. There is an impending shortage of DM-450 filters. Membrane filters suitable for on-filter analysis should have high infrared (IR) transmittance in the spectral region 600-1000 cm-1. Nylon (47 mm, 0.45 microm pore size), PP (47 mm, 0.45 microm pore size) and PVC (47 mm, 5 microm pore size) filters meet this specification. Limits of detection and limits of quantification were determined from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements of blank filters. The average measured quartz mass and coefficient of variation were determined from test filters spiked with respirable alpha-quartz following MSHA P-7 and NIOSH 7603 methods. Quartz was also quantified in samples of respirable coal dust on each test filter type using the MSHA and NIOSH analysis methods. The results indicate that PP and PVC filters may replace the DM-450 filters for quartz measurement in coal dust by FTIR. PVC filters of 5 microm pore size was seemed to be suitable replacement although their ability to retain small particulates should be checked by filter experiment.

The objective of the present study is to quantify quartz mass in coal dust deposited on internal cassette surface of respirable size-selective samplers. Coal dust was collected with four different respirable size-selective samplers (10 mm Dorr-Oliver nylon, SKC Aluminum, BGI4L, and GK2.69 cyclones) with two different cassette types (polystyrene and static-dissipative polypropylene cassettes). The coal dust was aerosolized in a calm air chamber by using a fluidized bed aerosol generator without neutralization under the assumption that the procedure is similar to field sampling conditions. The mass of coal dust was measured gravimetrically and quartz mass was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy according to NIOSH Manual of Analytical Method 7603. The mass fractions of the total quartz sample on the internal cassette surface are significantly different between polystyrene and static-dissipative cassettes for all cyclones (p<0.05). No consistent relationship between quartz mass on cassette internal surface and coal dust filter mass was observed. The BGI4L cyclone showed larger (but not significantly) and the GK2.69 cyclone showed significantly lower (p<0.05) internal surface deposit quartz mass fraction for polystyrene cassettes compared to other cyclones. This study confirms previous observations that the interior surface deposits in polystyrene cassettes attached to cyclone pre-selectors can be a substantial part of the sample, and therefore need to be included in any analysis for accurate exposure assessment. On the other hand, the research presented here supports the position that the internal surface deposits in static-dissipative cassettes used with size-selective cyclones are negligible and that it is only necessary to analyze the filter catch.