Does a Modified Adhesive Respirator Improve the Face Seal for Health Care Workers Who Previously Failed a Fit Test?: A Pilot Study During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Abstract

Approximately 30% of health care workers (HCWs) fail the respirator fit test. Evidence suggests that addressing face leaks in the 3M respirator enhances its fit and improves its efficacy. Between March 31 and April 9, 2020, HCWs who failed fit tests for 3M 1860 and 1860S respirators were invited to retest with an adhesive modification of the 3M respirator. Sixty-eight percent of HCWs who failed the fit test with their first-choice respirator passed with a modified adhesive respirator. To increase the efficacy and safety of 3M respirators, ineffective face seals need substantial improvement in design.

Effect of Taping Face Masks on Quantitative Particle Counts Near the Eye: Implications for Intravitreal Injections in the COVID-19 Era

“…Several studies have explored the effect of taping around masks but have not specifically explored airflow being redirected toward the eyes. A recent study found that the success rate of qualitative fit testing for N95 respirators can be increased by adding adhesive around the entire periphery of the mask, 14 which suggests that taping may decrease counts of droplets directed toward the eyes, contrary to our findings. However, in that study, multiple pieces of adhesive were applied to the nose piece.…”

The effect of plastic tape seal to reduce face seal leak in respirator N-95 type 1860

“…The sex distribution of the subjects in this study were mostly female as many as 68 subjects and male as many as 13 subjects. This was also found in a previous study by Wardhan et al [ 2 ] who stated that in their study using a modified method of attaching N-95 respirators to the face using two-sided adhesive adhesives, 89% of the study population were women. This also supports the propose risk of facial seal leak in women due to the use of cosmetics and a lot of talking.…”

“…World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of N95 respirators certified by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for the health care workers dealing with patient suspected with aerosol borne diseases [ 1 ]. However, according to Pilot Study by Wardhan [ 2 ] et al approximately 30% of HCWs fail the qualitative fit test (QLFT) for N-95, thus making them at risk of infection transmission. The lack of seal increases exposure to aerosolized droplets as for respirators, it enters through breaks in the face seal, suggesting that better mask to face seal should be achieved to improve the efficacy of the filter medium.…”

“…The face seal leak problem has been the subject of research over the past decade. Recently qualitative fit test (QLTF) of the N-95 respirators at the University of Florida which was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that 68% of HCWs who previously failed QLTF with their first choice respirators passed the retest with 3 M N-95 respirators type 1860 and 1860S modified with adhesive along the perimeter of the respirator [ 2 ].…”

Fit Factor Change on Quantitative Fit Testing of Duckbill N95 Respirators with the Use of Safety Goggles

“…Wardhan et al conducted the fit test on 26 participants with 3M 1860 and 1860S respirators that had been modified by applying double-sided adhesive tape to the edges of the respirator. 24 Sixty-five percent of participants passed with the modified adhesive respirator. In this study, however, qualitative fit testing was used, which relies on the participant's ability to taste a solution nebulized in the vicinity of the respirator.…”