Testing of the efficiency of military devices for personal respiratory protection in relation to sub-micron particles of biological agents

Abstract

The construction of biological weapons and tactics of its application dictate that dissemination of biological agents on the target has to be in the form of aerosols. The work was done on the effectiveness of filtration Serbian military protective mask M3 under conditions of simulated air contamination by sub-micron particles of biological agents. For this purpose the sodium chloride aerosol is generated in the form of solid aerosol particles, whose granulometric distribution and biological inactivity fulfill qualification for its suitability as a simulator of biological agents. The study was conducted with a focus on determining the filtration efficiency of the combined filter M3 as a vital part of the protective mask M3, with the measurement of filter resistance to air flow. The obtained values of filtration efficiency testing indicate that the protective mask M3 in real terms can successfully protect the user from contamination by biological agents used in aerosol form.