Development and analysis of protective properties of highly effective filtering half mask

One of unhealthy industrial impacts exerted on personnel in underground coal mining is fine coal dust. To reduce this harmful effect and prevent development of occupational diseases, miners are equipped with respiratory protective devices. These filtering half masks of three classes of safety protect miners from the impact of dust. On the other hand, a filtering half mask creates an obstruction to breathing, or moisture can accumulate under the half mask and cause discomfort in wearing. The other causes of discomfort in wearing filtering half masks are high density and low permeability of materials the masks are made of. Furthermore, some filtering half masks have no an exhalation valve, which promotes an increase in temperature of inhaled air. The main objective of the research was the development and manufacturing of a filtering half mask ensuring high degree of protection of respiratory organs of users without discomfort to breathing. Another objective was to find filtering materials causing no discomfort when in contact with skin. The protective properties of the developed filtering half mask were tested using a certified equipment. The scope of the tests embraced permeability of the test materials, and their obstruction to breathing and prevention of dust. The half mask was manufactured using hypoallergic materials and was equipped with an exhalation valve. The obtained results, in particular, initial obstruction to air flow (before/after dust pollution) of 46 and 159/677 Pa in inhalation at an air flow rate of 30 and 95 dm3/min, respectively, and 132/250 Pa in inhalation at an air flow rate of 160 dm3/min, and permeability in terms of fumes of sodium chloride and paraffin liquid—0.79/0.77%, proved the conformity of the new-developed filtering half mask with the highest protection class FFP3. Alongside the high protection level and ergonomics, the smallest weight of the filtering half mask (7.5 g) amongst all analogs allows users to wear the mask all through the working shift.

Kolvakh K. A., Kornev A. V., Olefirenko Y. S., Astakhov S. V., Kurchin I. V. Development and analysis of protective properties of highly effective filtering half mask. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(11):126-139. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_ 11_0_126.

K.A. Kolvakh¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant of Chair, e-mail: Kolvakh_KA@pers.spmi.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0145-9465,
A.V. Kornev¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: Kornev_AV@pers.spmi.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6371-9969,
Y.S. Olefirenko¹, Student, e-mail: yulechkaolefirenko@gmail.com,
S.V. Astakhov, Deputy General Director for Development and Innovation, Respiratory Complex LLC, 188679, Leningrad Region, Morozov State Enterprise, Russia, e-mail: info@szpe.ru,
I.V. Kurchin, Head of Testing Laboratory of Personal Protective Equipment, LLC Monitoring, 190020, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, e-mail: kurchin@ooo-monitoring.ru,
¹ Empress Catherine II Saint-Petersburg Mining University, 199106, Saint-Petersburg Russia.

K.A. Kolvakh, e-mail: Kolvakh_KA@pers.spmi.ru.

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