Understanding the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) and Its Legal Implications
Definition & Meaning
The assigned protection factor (APF) is a measure used to determine the level of respiratory protection that a properly functioning respirator can provide to users who are trained and fitted correctly. It is calculated by dividing the concentration of airborne contaminants in the environment by the APF. This helps estimate the inhaled concentration of harmful substances when using respiratory protective equipment.
Legal Use & context
The concept of assigned protection factor is primarily relevant in occupational safety and health law, particularly in industries where workers may be exposed to hazardous airborne substances. It is often referenced in regulations set forth by agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Legal documents and compliance forms related to workplace safety may include guidelines on APF to ensure proper use of respirators.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: A construction worker uses a respirator with an APF of 10. If the ambient concentration of dust is 100 micrograms per cubic meter, the expected inhaled concentration would be 10 micrograms per cubic meter.
Example 2: In a laboratory where hazardous chemicals are used, a researcher wears a respirator with an APF of 50. If the ambient concentration of fumes is 500 micrograms per cubic meter, their inhaled concentration would be 10 micrograms per cubic meter. (hypothetical example)