The concentration of toluene in a workplace is measured to b

The concentration of toluene in a workplace is measured to be 100 ppm. All of the worker are required to use PPE in form of a powered air-purifying respirator. The protection factor for this respirator is 50. What would be the concentration of the air that the workers inhale?

100 ppm.

50 ppm.

2 ppm.

1 ppm.

Solution

To be calculated:

Concentration of air that workers inhale or concentration inside mask

Given Values:

Concentration of toluene in workplace = 100 ppm

Protection factor = 50

Solution:

Power factor, PF = Co / Ci

where, Co = Concentration outside mask

Ci = Concentration inside mask

From the above formula, concentration inside mask can be calculated as;

Ci = Co / PF

Ci = 100 / 50

Ci = 2 ppm

Concentration of air that workers inhale is 2 ppm

Answer - Option (C) - 2 ppm