Technology Survey for Enhancement of Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Respiratory Protection

Abstract

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currentiy valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. REPORT DATE (DD-MM SPONSORING I MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S)DIR, ECBC, ATTN: AMSRD-ECB-RT-PR, APG, MD 21010-5424 SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S) DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTESCOTR: Paul D. Gardner, AMSRD-ECB-RT-PR, (410) 436-6692 ABSTRACTA technology survey was conducted to identify enhancement technologies that offer the most promise for significant advancements in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear individual respiratory protection. The focus was on two enhancement areas: protection and physiology. Novel sealing concepts based on responsive materials were sought that offer potential for performance enhancement. The search for cooling technologies focused on air-management systems (i.e., miniature fans and blowers) and thermoelectric devices. Finally, non-carbon based filtration systems that offer improved protection capabilities were sought. The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command, is investigating emerging technologies that offer the potential for advancement in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear individual respiratory protection. The objective of this task was to identify technologies that offer potential improvement in field protection factor performance or reduced physiological burden. From a protection perspective, the two areas of focus were the facial seal and filtration. Novel sealing concepts based on responsive materials that may adjust to facial movements or compensate for improper donning were targeted. For filtration, the potential to integrate photocatalytic oxidation or catalytic oxidation reactors into an individual protection system was assessed. Cooling technologies which were considered in the technology survey included miniature airmanagement systems (i.e., miniature fans and blowers) and thermoelectric devices. SUBJECT TERMSResponsive materials undergo a reversible change in physical shape in response to an external stimulus such as changes in temperature, pressure, electr...

Protective Facemask Impact on Human Thermoregulation: An Overview

“…and could potentially be adapted to PFMs (http://www.sunonamerica.com/pdf/mm_ fan_catalog.pdf). One such model currently on the market, the BL-50 from Koken, Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan), is a half-mask that contains a batterypowered integral blower triggered by inhalation and used to maintain constant pressure within the facepiece (Richardson and Hofacre, 2008). In addition to cooling the face, the development of positive pressure by integral fans could serve to enhance respiratory protection by preventing ingress of harmful particles or organisms into the PFM.…”