Comparison of respirator fit test methods with an actual measurement of exposure

Details

• Personal Author:
  Campbell, David D. ; Coffey, Christopher C. ; Das S ; Myers W
• Description:
  Quantitative fit-tests (QFT) have been assumed to be predictive of the protection respirators would provide a wearer in his workplace. Workplace studies have consistently found no correlation between quantitative fit factors and workplace protection factors. This study was undertaken to correlate six QFT methods under laboratory conditions against exposure to 1,1,2 trichloro-1,2,2 trifluoroethane (Freon) assessed by exhaled breath analysis. The six QFT method protocols were based on using either corn oil or ambient aerosol or controlled negative pressure. Respirators used in the study were both disposable and elastomeric organic vapor/high efficiency half masks. The exhaled breath of subjects exposed to 0.5, 3, 5, 25, 50 and 100 ppm-minutes of Freon was evaluated at 30 minutes postexposure. This characterization was then used to predict the actual exposure to Freon during correlation testing. Fit factors resulting from the QFT protocols were then individually correlated with the protection determined from these predicted Freon exposures using the coefficient of determination, R2. The QFT methods were 1) low flow, flush probe (CLF); 2) high flow, deep probe (CHD); 3) exhalation valve discharge (EVD); 4) controlled negative pressure (CNP); 5) ambient aerosol 1-10 minutes, 6 exercises (AAI); and 6) ambient aerosol 2- 30 minutes, 17 exercises (AA2). The lowest R2 value, 0.187, was found with the EVD method. The highest R2 values, 0.788 and 0.774, were associated with respectively the CHD and AAI methods. The results of this study suggest that some QFT methods can be predicative of actual respirator performance. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Laboratories Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Respiratory System Safety Workplace
• Keywords:
  Exposure-levels Exposure-limits Face-masks Laboratory-testing Respirators Respiratory-equipment Respiratory-protection Respiratory-protective-equipment Work-areas Workers
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DRDS - Division of Respiratory Disease Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  13-14
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20041262
• Citation:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 19-23, 1997, Dallas, Texas. Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 1997 May; :13-14
• CAS Registry Number:
  CFC 113 (CAS RN 76-13-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1997
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 19-23, 1997, Dallas, Texas
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b9b865086ea25cf7f7bc109a70081d8dd789792c2ff3809f8c0e9d31358cb2ac63c01a67ad8d3658b7884bb10fd49f6e169725f9dae20782d9e27b4f603e2b0b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/193867/cdc_193867_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 742.14 KB ]