Clarification on CDC ASTM Relationship

Construction Industry is a Long Term CATER Mask Purchaser

A Guide to Respirators Used for Dust in Construction Created by NIOSH

Purar Mask Inward Leakage is Less Than 2%

China Revised Respirator Standard on July 1, 2020

SGS Provides Mask Testing Services

SGS Provides Summary of French Stipulations for Clear Masks

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Clarification on CDC ASTM Relationship

Our article yesterday indicated that ASTM and CDC are working together on the mask standard. This is not a partnership.  It so happens that the Chair of the ASTM committee drafting the barrier mask standard is a senior leader in NIOSH, a unit of CDC. But  CDC is not allowed  to acknowledge or embrace the developing standard.  They are aware and have encouraged their NIOSH representative to devote full attention to the standard, but they have not acknowledged or recommended the standard. 

Construction Industry is a Long Term CATER Mask Purchaser

After a huge increase in CATER mask purchases to mitigate COVID there are many markets where CATER masks can gain market share. One of them is construction. Due to COVID there is a big demand for CATER masks in construction. Suppliers have to explain to the industry why CATER masks will be the future choice for low level dust environments and maybe even for high dust level environments. For example supplier personnel visit construction sites for periods as short as one hour and have to wear masks during their stay. They can have CATER masks with corporate logos.

The construction industry is accustomed to masks for COVID. It is now the time for the industry to consider CATER masks for a range of activities. The difference between COVID and many construction applications is that the particulate load is very high. This makes it logical to use disposable masks. However, in most uses the dust load is moderate. A washable CATER mask with filter inserts may be the best. While face coverings are recommended and even required on construction sites across the country, construction pros have a range of reasons for not liking them.

According to Construction Drive they are seen as a necessary evil, with 67% of respondents to Construction Dive's June 12 Friday Feedback survey saying that they are an important means of protection from COVID-19. About two-thirds of respondents also said they are required on their jobsites, either by their firms or by government protocols.

While construction pros said they see the need for face coverings on jobsites, they don’t always like having to wear one. Drawbacks include the fact that they can make the wearer feel hot and tend to fog eyeglasses and safety goggles. Other reasons mentioned were that they make it hard to breathe during strenuous activities, they can fall apart, and they irritate the skin behind the ears.

 

 

Most construction workers and site managers are very familiar with the personal protective equipment (PPE) that helps prevent workplace injuries to the head, eyes, respiratory system and other vulnerable areas of the body. 

OSHA, the U.S. agency that mandates the use of PPE on construction projects and in other work environments across a multitude of industries, also requires employers to train workers on how to use the equipment appropriately. The agency can dish out major fines if employers don't take this important step.

So, those in the construction industry are used to seeing packaging with instructions about how to use respirators and other face coverings, even as this type of PPE has come into play in the general population as people try or protect themselves from the novel coronavirus. 

The instructions available for 3M's N95 respirator, for example, offer a brief, step-by-step tutorial, complete with photos, on how to don the equipment and make sure it's sealed against the wearer's skin. The material also comes with information about which OSHA standard the respirator meets and against which contaminants it protects. The packaging itself also comes with instructions. 

Not so for other types of fabric face coverings that contractors have been buying and wearing as protection against the coronavirus. Generally, it's been a free-for-all as far as the types of masks available, whether professionally manufactured or homemade. The accompanying advice on how to wear them and how well they protect the wearer varies as well.

But that could be about to change.

The PPE industry, led by safety standard organization ASTM International, is working on a standard that would specify design and performance criteria for reusable masks. The group, established in July, aims to set requirements for:

• The general construction of masks.
• How the mask is secured to and stays affixed to the user's head.
• How well masks filter out bacterial and solid particulates.
• Inhalation and exhalation breathing resistances.
• Size and fit testing.
• Affixing and removing masks, sizing, cleaning and recommended period of use.

The group is also working to establish how much of this information would be displayed on mask packaging. The standard would not supplant current mask requirements for healthcare workers nor OSHA industry standards.

 

A Guide to Respirators Used for Dust in Construction Created by NIOSH

This guide cites the advantages of light filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). CATER masks have many advantages over disposables. The paragraphs in red below are particularly applicable.

 

Construction dust can cause serious damage to workers’ health and life-threatening diseases. Construction workers can be exposed to many types of dust, such as silica, wood, and lead dust. Workplace exposure to small particles of silica dust, also known as respirable crystalline silica, can lead to serious diseases, including silicosis, a progressive lung disease marked by scarring and thickening of the lung tissue; lung cancer; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and kidney disease. It’s estimated that about 2 million construction workers are exposed to silica dust on the job [CDC 2020].

NIOSH sets Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs), including a suggested limit of exposure to silica dust. A recent study of workers exposed to silica dust by industry published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine found that of 100,000 workers who were exposed above the NIOSH REL, 8 out of 10 of those workers were in the construction industry [Doney et al. 2020].

Construction workers can be exposed to silica dust from many sources. For example, concrete workers can be exposed to silica dust during mixing, sawing, jackhammering, chipping, grinding, and cleaning operations. Masons can be exposed when cutting concrete blocks and bricks, mixing mortar, and tuckpointing. Tile workers can be exposed when cutting ceramic tiles or stone. Highway, street, and bridge construction workers can be exposed during abrasive blasting, drilling, milling, breaking, and cutting concrete. Site preparation workers can be exposed during earthmoving, excavation and trenching, and demolition, and drywall workers can be exposed when cutting drywall and sanding joints.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) silica dust standard for construction requires employers to limit worker exposures to silica dust and protect them [29 CFR 1926.1153]. Table 1 in 29 CFR 1926.1153 has simplified the compliance process in construction by matching 18 common construction tasks with effective dust control methods and respiratory protection. Employers who use the controls specified in Table 1 are in compliance when they perform those tasks. If controls are not being used, or when performing tasks not listed in Table 1, employers are required to conduct air sampling to measure workers’ exposure to silica or obtain objective data to demonstrate that they comply.

In many cases, engineering controls are not adequate for safely controlling dust, and respi­ra­tors must be used. A respirator is designed to protect workers from inhaling hazardous dusts when properly used. OSHA regulations govern the use of respi­rators in construction [29 CFR 1926.103]. If respirators are used, a respiratory protection program is required to ensure that they are used prop­erly. OSHA mandates specific requirements for the use of respirators [29 CFR 1910.134(c)].

If the workplace is in compliance with dust standards, employers can permit workers to wear air-purifying respirators, following OSHA’s (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When not Required Under Standard [1910.134 App D ]. Under this Appendix, the employer must meet the following OSHA requirements:

1. Ensure proper respirator use and maintenance per manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Ensure that only NIOSH-certified respirators are used and ones with the proper design for the application.
3. Ensure that the exposure does not involve contaminants that the respirator is not designed to protect from. i.e., gases, vapors, or very small particles that the respirator will not collect.
4. Keep track of the respirator to avoid using someone else’s.

Selecting the right air-purifying respirator requires an assessment of workplace operations, processes or environments that may create a respiratory hazard [NIOSH 2019].

Selecting a Respirator for Dust Control

The need for light comfortable NIOSH-approved air-purifying masks are available in two broad classes: non-powered and powered. Non-powered are sometimes referred to as negative-pressure respirators, and powered respirators are referred to as PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators).

Non-powered air-purifying respirators

Several filter materials are available for negative-pressure respirators. Since some fil­ters are degraded by oil mist, replaceable filter cartridges are desig­nated according to their level of oil resis­tance, as follows:

• N-Series filters are not resistant to oil.
• R-Series filters are oil-Resistant up to one shift.
• P-Series filters are oil-Proof.

For mineral dusts, such as silica, any of these filters will work unless the workplaces has an oil mist source. The most common oil mist sources in construction comes from percussion drills. These workplaces should use type R or P filters. If oil mist is present, N-series filters will not be effective and should not be used. R-series filters should be used for one shift, and P-series filters should be changed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations [NIOSH 1996].

The dust (or mist) collection efficiency of filter materials also varies. Filter cartridges are available in three efficiency levels: 95%, 99%, and 99.97%, designated as 95, 99, and 100. For example, an N95 filter is 95% efficient; an N99 filter is 99% efficient; and an N100 filter is 99.97% efficient.

The most commonly purchased filter types are N95s and P100s. Type 95 filters usually have a lower cost and breathing resistance than type 100 filters. As the letter rating and number rating increase, breathing fatigue will also increase.

Reusable half-masks and face-filtering respirators are non-powered negative-pressure respirators.

Reusable Half-Masks

A reusable half-mask, negative-pressure respirator, consists of a filter-holding unit called the facepiece or mask, fabricated from molded plas­tic or rubber. The mask contains intake and exhaust valves and is attached to straps that ensure a tight fit to the wearer’s face.

This type of half-mask respirator has a replaceable-filter that removes dust when the facepiece seal is leak-tight. The seal can occasionally cause skin irritation. These respirators also interfere with conversation and may interfere with eyeglasses or goggles.

Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs)

FFRs, commonly called dust masks are another type of negative pressure air purifying respirator. FFRs have a lighter design than half-mask respirators. The entire mask is fabricated from filter material that covers the mouth and nose.

FFRs offer some advantages compared to the replaceable-filter respirators. In particular, they are more comfortable and require no maintenance. It may be harder to pass a fit test with an FFR than a reusable half-mask. As a result, they are often much less effective than half-masks.

FFRs are certified by NIOSH under the 42 CFR 84 respirator certification tests. Certification is no guarantee that the mask will perform well as worn. In one study of FFRs [CDC 1998], the aver­age dust reduction was only 67%.

Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)

Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) use a fan to draw air through the filter to the user. They are easier to breathe through than negative pressure air purifying respirators; however, they need a fully charged battery to work properly. PAPRs have three filter classes HE, PAPR100-N, and PAPR100-P. All three filter series must demonstrate a minimum efficiency level of 99.97 percent. It is important to know what the hazard is, and how much of it is in the air, to select the proper filters/cartridges.

PAPRs are often designed with a hard hat equipped with a battery-powered fan or a belt-worn battery and fan, filtering system, and face visor, thus providing protection for the head, lungs, and eyes and face within one unit. Another advantage is a lack of breathing resistance. Loose-fitting PAPRs have the ability to accommodate facial hair. Tight-fitting facepiece PAPRs are required by OSHA to be fit-tested and worn without facial hair.

The NIOSH Certified Equipment List (CEL) is a useful resource for making a respirator selection. The online CEL tool allows you to define search criteria based on characteristics of approved respirators.

Guide­lines for Respirator Use

Respirator wearers should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Comfort is as important as a tight seal. A worker may need to try different size respira­tors or respirators from different manufacturers before finding the best fit for his or her facial structure. Once a respirator is put on, positive and negative pressure seal checks are necessary to ensure there are no leaks that would degrade the respirator’s effectiveness.

Respirator Maintenance

Basic respirator maintenance is simple. The wearer should check to ensure that the filter cartridges are undamaged, the inhalation and exhalation valves are in work­ing order, no straps are slipping or broken, there are no tears or deformities in the facepiece, and the respirator is reasonably clean.

Regular replacement of filters is an important part of respirator use. Normally, filters should be replaced when breathing resistance increases and when they are damaged or soiled or at the end of the shift if exposed to oil mists. Another approach is to replace filters when the filter loading reaches 200 mg of dust [NIOSH 2018]. NIOSH has additional guidance on the reuse and extended use of filters: Filtering out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, Respirator Reuse and Extended Use.

Many construction tasks can expose workers to hazardous dust. Protect your workers by selecting the appropriate respirator for the job and ensure it is used properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions and OSHA’s mandates. Keep your workforce safe and healthy.

 CAPT Alan Echt, DrPH, CIH, Senior Industrial Hygienist in the NIOSH Office of Construction Safety and Health (retired).

Christopher Coffey, Ph.D, is the former Associate Director for Science for the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (retired).

Scott Earnest, PhD, PE, CSP, is the Associate Director for Construction Safety and Health.

Jeanette Novakovich, MA, MS, PhD, is a Writer-Editor in the NIOSH Division of Science Integration.

CDR Elizabeth Garza, MPH, CPH, is Assistant Coordinator for the Construction Sector in the NIOSH Office of Construction Safety and Health.

Scott Breloff, Ph.D. is a Biomedical Research Engineer in the NOISH Office of Construction Safety and Health.

Christina Socias-Morales, DrPH, is a Research Epidemiologist in the NIOSH Office of Construction Safety and Health.

Purar Mask Inward Leakage is Less Than 2%

The description of the M+H Purar mask was provided in the Alert yesterday. Here are results of an inlet leakage fit test conducted in accordance with the Chinese Standard which is more fully described in the next article.

 

China Revised Respirator Standard on July 1, 2020

China issued an updated version of its mandatory national standard GB 2626-2019 Respiratory protection - Non-powered air-purifying particle respirator. A summary was provided by SGS (see next article). The revised standard became effective on July 1, 2020.

The Standardization Administration of China issued its mandatory national standard GB 2626-2019 Respiratory protection - Non-powered air-purifying particle respirator. The new mandatory national standard will become effective on July 1, 2020. Being included in China’s No. 17 announcement on the newly approved national standards in 2019, this new standard will replace the previous version, GB 2626-2006.

Scope

This standard applies to non-powered air-purifying respirator which can help provide respiratory protection against particles. This standard does not apply to respirator which provide respiratory protection against harmful gases and vapor, and it is not suitable for the respirators used in hypoxic environments, underwater operations, escape and firefighting.

Technical Requirements

This mandatory national standard specifies technical requirements for Respiratory protection - Non-powered air-purifying particle respirator, and these technical requirements include general requirement, appearance check, filter efficiency, inward leakage performance, respiratory resistance, exhalation valve, dead space, visual field, head harness, connection and connecting parts, lens, air tightness, flammability, cleaning and disinfects, practical performance, information provided by manufacturer, and package. Compared with GB 2626-2006, GB 2626-2019 contains many technical differences. The detailed information can be found in Appendix E in GB 2626-2019.

Classification and Marking

1. Classification of facepiece

The facepiece shall be classified according to its structure, including disposable facepiece, replaceable half face piece and full-face piece.

2. Filter element categorization

The filter element shall be categorized according to the filter efficiency, including Category KN and Category KP. Category KN is only used to filter non-oily particles, and Category KP is used to filter oily particles and non-oily particles.

3. Filter element classification

The filter element shall be classified according to the levels of filter efficiency given in Table 1.

CATEGORY OF FILTER ELEMENT	CLASSIFICATION OF FILTER ELEMENT
	DISPOSABLE FACEPIECE	REPLACEABLE HALF-FACE PIECE	FULL-FACE PIECE
Category KN	KN90 KN95 KN100	KN90 KN95 KN100	KN95 KN100
Category KP	KP90 KP95 KP100	KP90 KP95 KP100	KP95 KP100

 

SGS Provides Mask Testing Services

SGS is one of the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.  It strives to be recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, it operates a network of more than 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

Core services can be divided into four categories:

• Inspection: comprehensive range of world-leading inspection and verification services, such as checking the condition and weight of traded goods at transshipment, help you to control quantity and quality, and meet all relevant regulatory requirements across different regions and markets
• Testing:  global network of testing facilities, staffed by knowledgeable and experienced personnel, enable you to reduce risks, shorten time to market and test the quality, safety and performance of your products against relevant health, safety and regulatory standards
• Certification: we enable you to demonstrate that your products, processes, systems or services are compliant with either national or international standards and regulations or customer defined standards, through certification
• Verification: we ensure that products and services comply with global standards and local regulations. Combining global coverage with local knowledge, unrivalled experience and expertise in virtually every industry, SGS covers the entire supply chain from raw materials to final consumption.

Established in 1878, SGS transformed grain trading in Europe by offering innovative agricultural inspection services. The Company was registered in Geneva as Société Générale de Surveillance in 1919. Shares were first listed on (SWX) Swiss Exchange in 1981. Since 2001, they have only one class of shares consisting of registered shares.

From its beginnings in 1878 as a grain inspection house, it has steadily grown into the role as the industry leader. SGS have done this through continual improvement and innovation and through supporting  customers’ operations by reducing risk and improving productivity.

SGS adds value from the design room to the operating room. With a full-range of services, including product design analysis, component and product testing, auditing, inspection and retail store checks, SGS helps businesses deliver well-designed, functional, durable and safe products to their customers. They have the mask industry, regulatory and technical expertise required to check a products’ compliance against relevant standards and/or a manufacturer’s own specifications.

SGS is committed to providing information about development in regulations for consumer products as complimentary services. Through a global network of laboratories, SGS provides a wide range of services including physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

For more information contact:

Valerie CIMETIERE
Textile Expert
t: +33 (0)6 82 90 18 99

 

SGS Provides Summary of French Stipulations for Clear Masks

Since the early beginnings of mask development as a new accessory of daily life, an issue has been raised as this face covering hides our mouth and lips from other people.

More than hiding facial expression and smiles, hiding the mouth raises the issue of lip reading for the deaf or hearing-impaired, isolating them more than before.

 

The French authorities have updated their requirements for "Community masks" ("Grand Public") including the option to include a clear window but maintaining breathability and filtration performance when a piece of transparent plastic takes the place of textile fabrics.

The French Cross Ministries Note has been updated on 2020 July 22nd with specific requirements for masks with clear window:

• The impermeable material must not exceed 50% of the mask surface
• The impermeable material must not exceed 50% of an 8 cm diameter circle. The center of the circle is the midpoint between the nose and mouth of the wearer
• The permeable material must make up at least 50% of the mask surface and must have an air permeability greater than or equal to 300 L/m2/s
• The interface between the permeable material and the impermeable material must not leak
• The impermeable material should not be pierced, to avoid leaks
• Filtration efficiency at 3µm for the permeable material shall be the same as for "Grand Public" masks defined in previous versions of Cross Ministries Note (Annex I):
  90% for Cat 1 and 70% for Cat. 2 according to DGA test method
• To avoid leakage along the edges of the mask, it must allow a fit on the face that includes the nose and chin and the adjustment at the mouth must not create a retention zone that can accumulate carbon dioxide
• Washable window masks must be able to be cleaned as other kinds of washable masks except for ironing (Annex I)

Available in French only, the Last version of the Cross Ministries Note can be found here.