Evaluating the performance of an N95 filter against ultrafine particles, including nanoparticles, with a cyclic airflow that simulates the breathing of workers Abstract Nanoscale ultrafine particles (UFPs) are produced by various combustion processes (forest fires, heating, diesel exhaust, welding fumes, etc.) and the mechanical processing of materials. The industrial production and use of UFPs, including nanoparticles, appears to be increasing and several toxic effects have been documented. Although prevention measures aimed at eliminating UFPs at source should be favoured, in some circumstances the use of respiratory protective equipment is unavoidable.This project aims to assess the efficacy of an N95 filter at capturing UFPs in experimental conditions similar to actual workplace conditions and by imitating the breathing of a human being.In an earlier study, the research tem developed a procedure for measuring the efficacy of N95 filters under constant flow conditions. For this project, the scientists want to integrate a cyclical flow pump in order to determine the penetration rate of ultrafine particles as a function of particle size, cyclic aspiration, relative humidity and exposure time. A better understanding of the behaviour of protective equipment with respect to UFPs is a key issue due to the ongoing development of nanotechnology. Produced Under this Project Scientific Reports Efficiency Evaluation of N95 FFRs under Cyclic and Constant Flows Research Report: R-932, R-919 Video Reports and Conferences Evaluating the performance of an N95 filter Conference: CF-214 Simplified Articles Particules ultrafinesQuelle est l'efficacité d'un filtre N95 pour protéger les travailleurs ? Volume 30, n0 1 Scientific Publications Peak and frequency inhalation flow impact on NP penetration through N95 filtersMahdavi A., Ali Bahloul, Ostiguy C. Source : in The Art + Science of Professional Judgement : American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exhibition / AIHce 2013 (May 18-23, 2013 : Montréal, Canada), 2013Contribution of breathing frequency and inhalation flow rate on performance of N95 filtering facepiece respiratorsMahdavi A., Ali Bahloul, Haghighat F., Ostiguy C. Source : Annals of Occupational Hygiene, vol. 58, no 2, 2014, p. 195-205Advancement in Quebec research on the prevention of risks related to occupational exposure to nanomaterialsDolez P., Cloutier Y. , Noël A., Tabet L., Gautrin D., Debia M., L'Espérance G., Hallé S., Ali Bahloul, Vinches L.Source : Relations industrielles/Industrial Relations, vol. 68, no 4, 2013, p. 623-642Evaluation of N95 filtering facepiece respirator efficiency with cyclic and constant flowsAli Bahloul, Mahdavi A., Haghighat F., Ostiguy C. Source : Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, vol. 11, no 8, 2014, p. 499-508Performances des pièces faciales filtrantes N95 - Comparaison de débits constants et cycliquesMahdavi A., Brochot C., Ali Bahloul, Haghighat F., Ostiguy C.Source : in Bien s'outiller pour intervenir: se développer, se spécialiser, se renouveler : Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l’hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail / AQHSST, (36e : 7-9 mai, 2014 : Beaupré, Canada), 2014Performances des pièces faciales filtrantes N95 à débit constant et cyclique - Effet du temps de colmatage et de l'humidité relativeBrochot C., Mahdavi A., Ali Bahloul, Haghighat F., Ostiguy C.Source : in Bien s'outiller pour intervenir: se développer, se spécialiser, se renouveler : Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l’hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail / AQHSST, (36e : 7-9 mai, 2014 : Beaupré, Canada), 2014Validation of a laboratory test bench for the efficiency of an N95 filtering face piece, using simulated occupational exposureBrochot C., Djebara A., Haghighat F., Ali BahloulSource : (2015). Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology, 5(4), 1-11. doi: 10.4172/2161-0525.1000286Validation du banc de test des pièces faciales filtrantes N95 - Comparaison des mesures de performances avec une exposition professionnelle simuléeBrochot C., Djebara A., Haghighat F., Ali BahloulSource : Communication présentée à Le risque chimique : méthodes et techniques innovantes, Nancy, France.Efficiency of an N95 filtering facepiece respirator to capture ultrafine particles under cyclic flows, and comparison with constant flowsBrochot C., Mahdavi A. R., Ali Bahloul, Haghighat F.Source : Proceeding of 4th Workplace and Indoor Aerosols Conference (Aerosols 2016), Barcelone, Spain. [Poster].Particle loading time and humidity effects on the efficiency of an N96 filtering facepiece respirator model under constant and inhalation cyclic flowsMahdavi A. R., Haghighat F., Ali Bahloul, Brochot C., Ostiguy C.Source : (2015). The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 59(5), 629-640. doi: 10.1093/annhyg/mev005 Efficiency of a N95 filtering facepiece to capture nanoparticles under constant and cyclic flowsBrochot C., Mahdavi A., Haghighat F., Ali BahloulSource : (2016). Communication présentée à 4th Workplace and Indoor Aerosols Conference, Barcelone, Espagne.Performances de pièces faciales filtrantes N95 à débits constant et cyclique : effet du temps de colmatage et de l’humidité relativeBrochot C., Mahdavi A., Ali Bahloul, Haghighat F., Ostiguy C.Source : (2015). Communication présentée à AQHSST, Beaupré, QC.Particle loading time and humidity effects on the efficiency of an N95 filtering facepiece respirator model under constant and inhalation cyclic flowsMahdavi A., Haghighat F., Ali Bahloul, Brochot C., Ostiguy C.Source : (2015). The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 59(5), 629-640. doi: 10.1093/annhyg/mev005Validation of laboratory test bench: Comparison of performances with a simulated occupational exposureBrochot C., Djebara A., Haghighat F., Ali BahloulSource : (2015). Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology, 5(4), 286. doi: 10.4172/2161-0525.1000286 Other Project(s) You May be Interested in Development of a procedure for evaluating the performance of filters used in ventilation systems and industrial vacuums to remove particles smaller than 300 nm in diameterEvaluation of the Performances of a Range of Filtering Facepiece Respirators for Ultrafine Particles Additional Information Type: Project Number: 2011-0035 Status: Completed Year of completion: 2015 Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention Team: Ali Bahloul (IRSST)Claude Ostiguy (IRSST)Fariborz Haghighat (Université Concordia)