RE: dust mask usage

[PATRIZIA.KELLER@AO.DTRA.mil]

I'm interested in knowing  the specific nature of a potential release for
this case.
Would it mainly be restricted to alpha emitters?


Capt Patrizia Keller
Chief, Rad Health Branch
AODTRA/NSID-R
Defense Nuclear Weapons School
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Charris, Rafael G. TSgt [SMTP:rafael.charris@med.edwards.af.mil]
> Sent:	Monday, April 26, 1999 2:54 PM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	RE: dust mask usage
> 
> I would have to side with your industrial hygienist.  I work both
> disciplines and unvariably, in any event where a potential incidenct is
> likely to occur,  a NIOSH approved respirator should be made available.
> Yes, it costs more money and training, but ultimately, they are "more"
> ALARA
> than dust mask.  We do not allow dust masks in any of our work areas and
> recommend proper respiratory protection (emergency or otherwise) where
> there
> is an actual or potential need.
> 
> In the absence of both, I guess I would hold my breath and wrap my shirt
> around my face as I exited...
> 
> just my two cents... does not reflect the views of my employer
> 
> RAFAEL G. CHARRIS, TSGT, USAF, OHST, RRPT 
> Supoervisor, Occupational Health Risk Assessments  
> Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight 
> Edwards AFB, CA
> (805) 277-3272 DSN 527-3272
> charrisr@med.edwards.af.mil <mailto:charrisr@med.edwards.af.mil>  
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Archer, Joe [mailto:archerj@wipp.carlsbad.nm.us]
> Sent: Monday, April 26, 1999 1:07 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: dust mask usage
> 
> 
> We are a facility where the potential for an accident is very low but
> the consequences could be large. I would not shackle our workers with
> respirators for a very low probability event even if I could take
> precautions that are not legally required. However, I am interested in
> evaluating the performance of paper/cloth dust masks worn around the
> neck as a cheap, simple, and "reasonable" measure to minimize the
> consequences of an unlikely, but potentially serious accident. I also
> believe they could be justified as a cheap personal air sampler if
> nothing else. Our IH guy has a problem with any inferrence that a dust
> mask provides respiratory protection and opposes any argument that they
> can provide any benefit from a worker protection standpoint.
> 
> My questions to all Radsafers is this "Does the idea of wearing a 50
> cent surgeons masks around your neck and covering your mouth with it as
> you exit a room where a potential release has occurred seem like a
> reasonable suggestion?". Would you say it qualifies as ALARA?  Does the
> fact that a dust mask does not guarantee a specific level of protection
> invalidate it as a reasonable tool for mitigating an uptake? Would the
> use of a rag be more likely to indicate an uptake than a nasal smear?
> If you were in a room where a release occurred and you had a dust mask
> handy, would you breath through the mask as you exited or would you not
> breath through the mask on the grounds that it was not NIOSH approved?
> Your comments are greatly appreciated.
> 
> Joe Archer
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