Re: Dust Masks

["K. Paul Steinmeyer" <kpstein@gyral.com>]

At 03:00 PM 4/27/1999 -0500, Wendell Rahorst wrote:
>Michael,
>
>I know your question was not addressed to me but being a daring soul I'll
>jump right in.
>
>Filtering facepieces are usually grommetted to allow for the attachment of
>the sampling device.  A hole is punched into the filtering material of the
>facepiece and a small grommet with a tube is attached to the facepiece.  The
>tube from the portacount is then attached to this tube.  There is also an
>attachment for the Portacount called the N95 companion that allows
>quantative fit-testing of N95, P95, or R95 filtering facepieces in addition
>to to P100, N100, & R100 facepieces.
>
> Mr. Steinmeyer's e-mail highlights the vastly updated technology available
>today in the filtering facepiece market.  I have worn the filtering
>facepieces with exhalation values and extra sealing devices that  Mr.
>Steinmeyer speaks of in his e-mail.  I have also performed numerous
>quantative fit tests on individuals wearing these items. They are very
>effective, comfortable, & eliminate most of the hygiene & maintenance
>problems that occurr today with non-disposable half-face respirators.  I
>personally feel that these devices will eventually replace 80 % of the
>current non-disposalable half-face respirators on the market.
>
>Wendell Rahorst, CIH
>President
>Quan'Fit, L.L.C.
>E-mail rahorst@quanfit.com
>Webpage http://www.quanfit.com

As a follow-up note to Mr. Rehorst's posting, it is my understanding that
the PortaCount Companion for testing N/R/P-95 filtering facepieces has not
been validated, that is has not been proven satisfactory to OSHA.  If this
is true, licensees would be advised to wait before purchasing this device
until OSHA has accepted it in writing.

K. Paul Steinmeyer

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