Domestic Preparedness: Sarin Vapor Challenge and Corn Oil Protection Factor (PF) Testing of Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Systems and Cartridges

Abstract

The first objective of the task was to determine the protection potential of the PAPRs against the organophosphorus nerve agent, Sarin (GB). GB is the standard nerve agent used in military testing. It is the most volatile of the nerve agents and hence more suitable for vapor testing. There are presently no standardized qualification procedures developed for these types of applications. Therefore, a draft version of procedures developed by the U.S. Army Chemical Agent Safety and Health Policy Action Committee (CASHPAC), and methods and requirements established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were used as guides in developing the test procedures used for the DP applications. The test procedures are described in subsequent sections of this report. The testing was done by Chemical Evaluation Laboratory, Surety Team, Engineering Directorate. The second objective was to perform Protection Factor (PF) testing of the PAPR systems being challenged by a corn oil aerosol. This is a standard Army procedure used by all military services. The testing was done by the Mask Fit Test Facility, Non-Surety Team, Engineering Directorate.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA440497

Entities

People

  • Alex G. Pappas
  • Lee E. Campbell

Organizations

  • Edgewood Chemical Biological Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Flow
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Domestic
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Protection
  • Flow Rate
  • Nerve Agents
  • Oils
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Plant Oils
  • Protective Equipment
  • Public Health
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Equipment
  • Test Facilities
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Materials Science