Abstract
Single use (throw-away) respirators have been available for protection against nuisance dust for some years but only recently have they been approved for use in coal mines. No field experience data was available on such use of this type of respirator, therefore three different models of throw-away respirators were field tested. The respirators were furnished, on a daily basis, to working miners who wore the throw-away units in place of their regular respirators. Subsequently the miners were interviewed to determine the acceptability or lack thereof, as well as advantages and disadvantages, of the throw-away units. Of the three models tested, only one was considered to be acceptable among the miners. Reasons for the acceptability in the one case and for the unacceptability of the others are discussed. Advantages and disadvantages of the throw-away half-mask respirator as compared to the respirators presently used are discussed and recommendations for improvements in respirators are presented.