DOP Substitutes for Quantitative Fit Testing: Aerosol Generation and Detection

摘要

Substitutes for the test agent diethyl(hexyl)phthalate (117817) (DOP) used in respirator quantitative fit testing were investigated. Recent medical evidence has implicated DOP in the causation of liver cancer in test animals. Several model fluids with physical properties similar to those of DOP were examined. They were: diethyl(hexyl)sebacate (122623), linoleic-acid (60333), oleic-acid (112801), dimethicone (9006659), and corn-oil. The fit test apparatus generated aerosols from these fluids and chemical properties were observed. The fit test apparatus was capable of producing the required quantities of aerosol from all the fluids tested. Mass median diameters and geometric standard deviations of the aerosols were all comparable. The required protection factor could be measured with the aerosols produced from any of the oils tested. The authors note that oils with physical properties similar to those of DOP are potential candidate materials for use in quantitative fit testing.