Testing the protective efficiency of personal respiratory protection devices in radiologically contaminated environments

Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection

关键词: depleted uranium;    aerosols;    protective mask;    filter;   

DOI  :  10.2298/NTRP1301102R

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The use of ammunition primed with depleted uranium is one of the hallmarks ofmodern combat operations, resulting in environmental contamination byparticles of depleted uranium and uranium oxide, scattered around in the formof submicron-scale aerosols. This paper examined the protective effectivenessof the Serbian military's M3 protective face mask in relation to the presenceof airborne depleted uranium and its by-products. Sodium chloride in solidaerosol form was used as a test substance and adequate physical simulator ofsuch radioactive aerosols because its granulometric (particle) sizedistribution met the requirements of suitability as a simulator.Determination of aerosol concentration was carried out by flame photometrymethod, whilst granulometric distribution was determined by an electricparticles analyzer. It was established that the total internal leakage of theM3 protective mask was as much a function of the penetration of particlesthrough the combined M3 filter as of the leaks along the fitting line of theuser's face mask and the inhalation valve. In terms of its protective effectagainst aerosols of depleted uranium and associated oxides, the Serbian M3protective mask was determined to be of high efficiency and physiologicalsuitability. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR34034]

【 授权许可】

Unknown