Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
															Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)


Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate





A Particle is a Particle										Related Pages
										For decades, respirator researchers have been asked whether filters need to be tested with aerosols similar to those encountered in the environment. Common sense suggests that viruses or bacteria are collected differently from engineered nanoparticles, silica dusts, oil mists or other types of workplace aerosols. But that is not necessarily the case. (2016)

View A Particle is a Particle (July 2016)
Total running time: 4:58
NIOSH Science Blog
Do We Need to Challenge Respirator Filters With Biological Aerosols? (2014)
The purpose of this NIOSH Science Blog is to explain what is currently known about an important aspect of respirator filtration. For decades, respirator researchers have been asked whether filters need to be tested with aerosols similar to those encountered in the environment. Common sense suggests that viruses or bacteria are collected differently from engineered nanoparticles, silica dusts, oil mists or other types of workplace aerosols.
Further Reading
McCullough, N., L. Brosseau, and D. Vesley: Collection of three bacterial aerosols by respirator and surgical mask filters under varying conditions of flow and relative humidity. *Annals of occupational hygiene* 41(6): 677-690 (1997).
Hofacre, K.C., A.W. Richardson, J.P. Eshbaugh, and P.D. Gardner: “Respirator filter efficiency testing against particulate and biological aerosols under moderate to high flow rates.” Edgewood Chemical Biological Center ECBC-CR-085, 2006. [Available at NIOSH Docket #272].
Harnish, D., B. Heimbuch, M. Husband, A. Lumley, K. Kinney, R. Shaffer et al.: Challenge of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators with Viable H1N1 Influenza Aerosols. *Infection control and hospital epidemiology: the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America* 34(5): 494 (2013).
Hinds, W.C.: *Aerosol technology: properties, behavior, and measurement of airborne particles*: John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
Fisher, E.M., A.W. Richardson, S.D. Harpest, K.C. Hofacre, and R.E. Shaffer: Reaerosolization of MS2 bacteriophage from an N95 filtering facepiece respirator by simulated coughing. *Annals of occupational hygiene* 56(3): 315-325 (2012).
Kennedy, N.J., and W.C. Hinds: Release of simulated anthrax particles from disposable respirators. *J Occup Environ Hyg* 1(1): 7-10 (2004).
Shaffer, R.E., and S. Rengasamy: Respiratory protection against airborne nanoparticles: a review. *Journal of nanoparticle research* 11(7): 1661-1672 (2009).
Stevens, G.A., and E.S. Moyer: “Worst case” aerosol testing parameters: I. Sodium chloride and dioctyl phthalate aerosol filter efficiency as a function of particle size and flow rate. *The American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal* 50(5): 257-264 (1989).
Moyer, E.S., and G.A. Stevens: “Worst-Case” Aerosol Testing Parameters: III. Initial Penetration of Charged and Neutralized Lead Fume and Silica Dust Aerosols through Clean, Unloaded Respirator Filters. *The American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal*50(5): 271-274 (1989).
Eshbaugh, J.P., P.D. Gardner, A.W. Richardson, and K.C. Hofacre: N95 and P100 respirator filter efficiency under high constant and cyclic flow. *Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene* 6(1): 52-61 (2008).
Oberg, T., and L.M. Brosseau: Surgical mask filter and fit performance. *American journal of infection control* 36(4): 276-282 (2008).
Rengasamy, S., A. Miller, B.C. Eimer, and R.E. Shaffer: Filtration performance of FDA-cleared surgical masks. *Journal of the International Society for Respiratory Protection* 26(1): 54 (2009).
Brosseau, L.M., N.V. McCullough, and D. Vesley: Mycobacterial aerosol collection efficiency of respirator and surgical mask filters under varying conditions of flow and humidity. *Applied occupational and environmental hygiene* 12(6): 435-445 (1997).
NIOSH: “NIOSH Guide to the Selection and Use of Particulate Respirators Certified Under 42 CFR 84.” [Online] Available at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-101/, (1996).
Janssen, L., H. Ettinger, S. Graham, R. Shaffer, and Z. Zhuang: Commentary: The Use of Respirators to Reduce Inhalation of Airborne Biological Agents. *Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene* 10(8): D97-D103 (2013).
Zayas, G., M.C. Chiang, E. Wong, F. MacDonald, C.F. Lange, A. Senthilselvan et al.: Cough aerosol in healthy participants: fundamental knowledge to optimize droplet-spread infectious respiratory disease management. *BMC pulmonary medicine* 12(1): 11 (2012).
Baron, P.: “Generation and Behavior of Airborne Particles (Aerosols).” [Online] Available at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/aerosols/pdfs/Aerosol_101.pdfpdf icon, (2010).
NIEH: “Particles: Size Makes All the Difference.” [Online] Available at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_a_e/ehp
Harnish-DA; Heimbuch-BK; Balzli-C; Choe-M; Lumley-AE; Shaffer-RE; Wander-JD: Capture of 0.1-um aerosol particles containing viable H1N1 influenza virus by N95 filtering facepiece respiratorsexternal icon.J Occup Environ Hyg 2016 Mar; 13(3):D46-D49
Harnish-DA; Heimbuch-BK; Husband-M; Lumley-AE; Kinney-K; Shaffer-RE; Wander-JD: Challenge of N95 filtering facepiece respirators with viable H1N1 influenza aerosolsexternal icon.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2013 May; 34(5):494-499
							
					
						Page last reviewed:  January 31, 2018					Content source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health homeNPPTL
What’s New on the NPPTL Websiteplus icon
NPPTL What’s New Archives
A to Z Index
Respiratory Protection Videos
Resources for Mine Workers
Resources for Emergency Responders
Respirator Approval Programplus icon
Respirator Approval Information
Respirator Standards
Respirator User Notices
Resources and Technical Support
Post-market Evaluationsplus icon
PPE CASE Reports
PPE CASE Notes
Respirator Assessments to Support COVID-19 Responseplus icon
Beyond Shelf Life/Stockpiled Assessment Results
International Assessment Results
Decontaminated Assessment Results
Non-NIOSH Approved Innovative Filtering Facepiece Respirator Assessment Results
Protective Clothing and Ensembles
Personal Protective Technology Program
NIOSH Respiratory Protection Week 2023
NPPTL Infographics
NPPTL Fact Sheets
Healthcare Respiratory Protection Resourceplus icon
Policies and Procedures
Program Administrator
Evaluation and Selection
Medical Evaluation
Fit Testing
Proper Use and Storage
Training
Program Evaluation
Recordkeeping
Support for Firefighter Personal Protective Equipmentplus icon
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatusplus icon
Program Overview
Evaluation Process
Completed Reports
Resources
Firefighter Turnout Gearplus icon
Current Projects
Completed Projects
Participation on Standards Setting Organizations
Resources
Considerations for Selecting Protective Clothing
NPPTL Participation in Standard Development Committees
Respiratory Protection Information Trusted Sourceplus icon
Types of Respiratory Protection
Use of NIOSH-approved Respirators
Frequently Asked Questionsplus icon
Respirator FAQs
Fit Test FAQs
NIOSH Approval FAQs
Healthcare Setting Specific FAQs
Approved Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators
Certified Equipment List (CEL)
PPE CASE Reports
Respirator User Notices
Meetings, Webinars, & Conferencesplus icon
Archived Meetings and Conferences
Conformity Assessment Notices and Letters to Respirator Manufacturers and Interested Parties
About NPPTL
Contact NPPTL Connect with NPPTL Subscribe to Listserv
PPE concerns? Contact Us
 Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue