Proposal for an approach with default values for the protection offered byPPE, under European new or existing substance regulations

Introduction of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the process of quant itative exposure and risk assessment should be addressed carefully. PPE whi ch have been designed and manufactured according to CE-criteria and have pr oved to pass relevant test criteria, can be classified as 'proper functioni ng'. However, test criteria for PPE are not equal to levels of protection w hich can be achieved in the workplace, because actual workplace exposure sc enarios, fit, maintenance and storage may differ substantially from the tes t conditions. The proper use of PPE is related to issues which form a part of a PPE-progr amme. Such a programme should be implemented in a company to ensure selecti on of proper PPE and information, training and instruction of employees how to wear PPE properly. Assigned protection factors (APFs) for different designs of respiratory pro tective devices (RPD) have been introduced to quantify effectiveness of RPD in the workplace. Similar APFs are proposed for dermal protection (gloves and clothing). In general biological monitoring studies show lower reductio n of internal exposure than estimated by reduction of external exposure. Th erefore, conservative estimates of protection by PPE, i.e. the lowest APFs, are proposed for risk assessment purposes if 'proper use of proper functio ning' PPE as part of a PPE-programme cannot be demonstrated. (C) 2001 Briti sh Occupational Hygiene Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.