RE: Respirators with beards

[Glen.Vickers@ucm.com]

Anyone who performs quantitative mask fits with a mask fit machine would
tell you that significant facial hair in the sealing surfaces does make a
difference.

I also would not count on a material like petroleum jelly in the weave of a
beard to provide a good seal.  I don't think I could convince myself that
that is a method that can be done consistently and that degradation of the
seal would not occur during use.  How could you ensure the application
technique used during the quantitative mask fit procedure is exactly how it
would be performed in the field?


Sincerely,
Glen Vickers
glen.vickers@ucm.com

	-----Original Message-----
	From:	Paul R. Steinmeyer [SMTP:prstein@gyral.com]
	Sent:	Tuesday, March 16, 1999 10:28 AM
	To:	Multiple recipients of list
	Subject:	Respirators with beards

	I'm looking for any information anyone might have on the following
	respirator-related issues:

	1. Studies which show that facial hair, particularly bushy beards,
degrades the
	seal of face-sealing respirators;

	2. Studies or articles that refute the notion that petroleum jelly
or similar
	substances applied to a beard will improve the seal;

	3. Studies or experience which show that a pressure-demand SCBA does
not work
	properly if the wearer has a full beard.  One article I'm aware of
is DaRoza,
	R.A., C.A. Cadena-Fix and J.E. Kramer.  "The Effect of Beard Growth
on
	Respiratory Protection: SCBAs and Air Purifying Respirators under
Simulated Work
	Conditions."  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1986.
Presented at the
	American Industrial Hygiene Conference, 1987.  Unfortunately it
shows that there
	was no significant degradation of protection with up to 2 months'
beard growth.

	4. Studies or experience which show that air escaping from around
the face seal
	in a poorly fitting facepiece in an open-circuit SCBA will induce
eddy currents
	at the seal and allow infiltration of contaminants.

	Many thanks in advance for any help.

	Please reply to:
	K. Paul Steinmeyer
	kpstein@gyral.com



	
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