Evaluating workplace protection factors (WPFs) of different firefighter PPE interface control measures for select volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Figures & data

Figure 1. PPE ensembles, with varying interface control measures, worn with cotton long-sleeve base layers: (A) standard (S-PPE) (B) interface control (I-PPE) (C) enhanced interface control (E-PPE), and (D) one-piece liner (O-PPE).

Table 1. PPE conditions are organized from the theoretically lowest level of interface control (S-PPE) to the highest (O-PPE).

Condition	Bunker gear description	Hood type	Interface control
Standard PPE (S-PPE)	Standard, typical PPE designed and used by the Fire Service in the US with overlap between ensemble elements	Traditional knit	No interface control – passive overlap between bottom of jacket and top of pant, jacket cuff and glove, pants and boots, & hood and jacket.
Interface Control PPE (I-PPE)	Standard pant and jacket with smoke barrier features at jacket-pant, & pant-boot interfaces	Particulate-blocking	Elastic cuffs are sewn into the jacket waist and lower pant leg to provide a physical cloth barrier at the waist and ankle interface areas. Particulate-blocking material used in jacket cuffs.
Enhanced Interface Control PPE (E-PPE)	Like the I-PPE but with an added control measure to physically connect the hood and jacket	Integrated particulate- blocking	Integrated hood eliminates jacket-hood interface. Tighter jacket zipper. Particulate-blocking material in jacket cuffs. Boot-pant interface tightened with elastic cuffs and raised boot collar to improve physical overlap.
One-Piece Liner PPE (O-PPE)	An integrated moisture barrier layer liner used to connect the pants, jacket, and hood into one piece	Integrated particulate- blocking	One-piece moisture barrier layer that was worn underneath the outer layer of the gear which eliminates the jacket-pant and jacket-hood interface. Tight jacket zipper. Particulate-blocking material in jacket cuffs. Boot-pant interface tightened with elastic cuffs and raised boot collar.

Figure 2. Median air concentrations, collected using an active sampling technique, measured outside gear within the smoke exposure chamber at different sampling heights.

Figure 3. Outside and under gear and under base layer air concentrations of benzene, with median and range of WPFs. WPFs represent a comparison of active area air sampling outside the turnout gear to passive air sampling under the turnout gear.

Figure 4. Outside and under gear and under base layer air concentrations of toluene, with median and range of WPFs. WPFs represent a comparison of active area air sampling outside the turnout gear to passive air sampling under the turnout gear.

Figure 5. Outside and under gear and under base layer air concentrations of styrene, with median and range of WPFs. WPFs represent a comparison of active area air sampling outside the turnout gear to passive air sampling under the turnout gear.

Figure 6. Outside and under gear and under base layer air concentrations of naphthalene (sorbent only), with median and range of WPFs. WPFs represent a comparison of active area air sampling outside the turnout gear to passive air sampling under the turnout gear.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article or its supplementary materials.