Reproducibility of Respirator Fit as Measured by Quantitative Fitting Tests

Roza, R.A. da; Cadena-Fix, C.A.; Carlson, G.J.; Hardis, K.E.; Held, Bruce

doi:10.1080/15298668391405751

Cited by 15 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…(20)(21)(22) Da Roza et al (20) found reproducibility is more easily achieved when tests are given on the same day than when fit tests are conducted on different days. There was significant between-subject variability for the pilot study, but the between-visit variability was not significant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Laboratory Study to Assess Causative Factors Affecting Temporal Changes in Filtering Facepiece Respirator Fit: Part I – Pilot Study

Zhuang

Benson

Lynch

et al. 2011

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is conducting a first-of-its-kind study that will assess respirator fit and facial dimension changes as a function of time and improve the scientific basis for decisions on the periodicity of fit testing. A representative sample of 220 subjects wearing filtering-facepiece respirators (FFR) will be evaluated to investigate factors that affect changes in respirator fit over time. The objective of this pilot study (n = 10) was to investigate the variation in fit test data collected in accordance with the study protocol. Inward leakage (IL) and filter penetration were measured for each donned respirator, permitting the calculation of face seal leakage (FSL) and fit factor (FF). The study included only subjects who (a) passed one of the first three fit tests (FF ≥ 100), and (b) demonstrated through a series of nine donnings that they achieved adequate fit (90th percentile FSL was ≤ 0.05). Following the respirator fit tests, 3-D scans of subjects were captured, and height, weight, and 13 traditional anthropometric facial dimensions were measured. The same data were collected 2 and 4 weeks after baseline. The mean change in FSL for the 10 subjects was 0.044% between Visits 1 and 2, and was 0.229% between Visits 1 and 3. Technicians achieved at least moderate reliability for all manual measurements except nose protrusion. Filter penetration was generally less than 0.03%. Geometric mean fit factors were not statistically different among the three visits. The large variability was observed with different respirator samples for the same model, between subjects (inter), and within each subject (intra). Although variability was observed, adequate fit was maintained for all 10 subjects. Pilot scans collected show subject faces remained the same over the 4 weeks. The consistent results during the pilot study indicate that the methods and procedures are appropriate for the 3-year main study. In addition, this baseline fit change data will be compared with future fit changes to determine if the changes are meaningful.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Laboratory Study to Assess Causative Factors Affecting Temporal Changes in Filtering Facepiece Respirator Fit: Part I – Pilot Study

Zhuang

Benson

Lynch

et al. 2011

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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“…(22) Donning to donning variability is also large. (23,24) All fit testing was conducted using the Model 8020A POR-TACOUNT Fit Tester with a model 8095 N95-Companion (TSI, Inc., Shoreview, Minn.) accessory. (25) FitPlus for Windows (software developed by TSI, Inc.) installed on a laptop computer automated the fit test data collection.…”

Section: Experimental Design and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Benefit of the User Seal Check on N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator Fit

Viscusi

Bergman

Zhuang

et al. 2012

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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The objective of this study was to better understand the benefit of the user seal check step for respirator test subjects in the N95 filtering facepiece respirator donning process. To qualify for the study, subjects were required to pass a standard quantitative fit test on at least one of the three N95 filtering facepiece respirator models: 3M 1860 (cup), 3M 1870 (flat-fold), and Kimberly Clark PFR95-270 (duckbill). Eleven subjects were enrolled and performed a series of abbreviated, quantitative fit tests where they were randomly asked either to perform or not perform a user seal check with 20 different respirator samples of each model. The experimental design included 3 respirator models × 10 subjects × 2 treatment levels with 10 replications. Geometric mean (GM) fit factors and percentages of times a fit factor ≥ 100 was achieved for a donning were compared for each subject with and without the user seal check across all models and for each model. Higher GM fit factors and smaller geometric standard deviations across all models were achieved for 10 of the 11 subjects when performing a user seal check compared with not performing a user seal check. Geometric mean fit factors of 148, 184, and 156, compared with 126, 187, and 115, respectively, were obtained for the 3M 1860, 3M 1870, and Kimberly Clark PFR95-270 models when the user seal check was performed vs. not performed. Differences in the GM fit factors for the 3M 1860 and Kimberly Clark PFR95-270 models were statistically significant (p < 0.05) when performing a user seal check vs. not performing a user seal check. These data suggest that there may be some benefit to performing the user seal check for at least some models during the filtering facepiece respirator donning process for workers who have previously passed a fit test for those respirator models. Additional research is needed with larger groups of subjects and respirator models/types.

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