January 2, 2004—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has announced new computer software that enables administrators of workplace respiratory-protection programs to consider the effects of relative humidity on the service life of NIOSH-approved organic vapor (OV) chemical cartridges. This software assists program administrators in workplaces where air-purifying respirators are used, in reducing on-the-job respiratory exposures to potentially harmful organic vapors from a single volatile source, such as an individual paint, thinner, or solvent.
By using the software, a respirator program administrator can determine when the cartridge is likely to reach the end of its service life or effectiveness; this is the point at which “breakthrough” is likely to occur as the sorbent no longer is able to collect organic vapors at the needed capacity. The administrator will then know when to schedule a replacement of the cartridge.
Further collaborative research is continuing on a more sophisticated program that will enable respirator program administrators to determine schedules for changing OV cartridges in environments that contain vapors from more than one volatile source.
The new computer software, “Breakthrough: Single Vapor Beta Version 3.0.0, expiration date December 2004,” will be available shortly as a CD-ROM that can be ordered from NIOSH at 800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674). The software is currently available as a download from OSHA. The download includes a digital training video illustrating the use of the program, as will the CD-ROM. For further technical information, contact Gerry Wood, Los Alamos National Laboratory.
