AIHA Releases White Paper on the Need for Respiratory Protection Research


respiratory_protectionThe American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) recently released a white paper on the need for research of respiratory protection to “enhance the safe and effective use of respiratory protection.”

Among the research needs are:

  1. Measurement of respirator performance
  2. Qualitative fit testing for full facepiece respirators
  3. Appropriateness of fit factor safety margin criterion
  4. In-facepiece measurements
  5. Effectiveness of respiratory protection program requirements
  6. Effectiveness of user seal checks
  7. Organic vapor cartridge desorption

A copy of the full white paper can be found HERE:

  PPEPPTGeneralIndustry1.ppt (5.1 MiB, 2,020 hits)

Many current practices in respiratory protection are based on assumptions, past practices or extrapolation from laboratory studies. Few studies have been done to evaluate the efficacy of, or the need for, each of these practices. AIHA believes the results of research on the practical, applied topics presented in this paper may significantly enhance the safe and effective use of respiratory protection.

Source: AIHA.org