ASSESSMENT OF TRIETHYLAMINE AND DIETHYLAMINE EMISSION FROM MILITARY GAS MASK CANISTERS

A study was undertaken to evaluate the suitability of four types of am ine modified charcoal filter canisters (cartridge) for use with gas ma sks (respirators) by measuring emissions of triethylamine (TEA) and di ethylamine (DEA), Sampling and analysis methods for TEA and DEA were v alidated and optimized to ensure accurate measurement at low levels, A total of 88 air samples were taken by the validated methods to measur e concentrations of TEA and DEA emitted from gas mask canisters during simulated use in an environmental chamber. Samples were collected on a mannequin equipped with a breather pump and also on human volunteers , Very low levels of TEA and moderately low levels of DEA emissions we re measured during the simulations, The C7 (KOH-TEA-BPL/ASC3T) gas mas k canister giving the lowest emission has been selected for use by the Canadian Forces. The potential health hazard from TEA and DEA for sol diers using the gas masks, under normal conditions, based on estimated use of one to two days per month, for a maximum of 4 hours/day for a normal working lifetime, was considered to be minimal and acceptable. (C) 1998 British Occupational Hygiene Society. Published by Elsevier S cience Ltd.