Environmental factors affecting N95 comfort and protection for concrete workers
Official title: Environmental Factors affecting Comfort and Protection provided by N95 Respirators against Silica Dust and Ultrafine particles among Ready Mix Concrete Workers
Funded at Georgia Southern University · NIH-11232719 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how heat, fumes, and workers’ comfort influence how well N95 respirators protect Ready Mix concrete workers from silica dust and ultrafine particles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Southern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Statesboro, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $71,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03OH012736-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11232719 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Ready Mix concrete workers and related plant personnel who wear N95 respirators during shifts at participating plants.
✕Less likely to help
Workers in settings without respirable dust exposure or without N95 use may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers will measure dust and particle exposure at concrete plants, test several N95 mask models in realistic plant conditions, and gather workers’ opinions on comfort and fit. The study uses manikin simulations and human testing to see how environmental factors affect mask performance and wearer experience. Findings could guide better mask choices and workplace practices to reduce respiratory risks for concrete workers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to safer respirator use and lower exposure to hazardous dust for workers in the ready-mix concrete industry.
How similar studies have gone: There is prior work on respirator performance and comfort, but field conditions with heat and fumes in concrete plants remain underexplored.
Where this research is happening
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Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adhikari, Atin — Georgia Southern University
- Study coordinator: Adhikari, Atin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.