National Technical Reports Library

The National Technical Information Service acquires, indexes, abstracts, and archives the largest collection of U.S. government-sponsored technical reports in existence. The NTRL offers online, free and open access to these authenticated government technical reports. Technical reports and documents in its repository may be available online for free either from the issuing federal agency, the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s Federal Digital System website, or through search engines.

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Screening Prospective Workers for the Ability to Use Respirators.

PB85207793

Publication Date	1984
Personal Author	Hodous, T. K.
Page Count	28
Abstract	Screening prospective workers for their ability to use respirators is discussed. Medical effects of wearing respirators are considered. The added inspiratory and expiratory resistance and dead space of most respirators generally causes an increased tidal volume, and decreased respiratory rate and ventilation. Cardiac effects of respirator wear are discussed. While the added work of breathing from respirators is small, a heavy respirator can cause considerable cardiac stress due to the added weight. Light weight respirators involving work or exercise at submaximal efforts exert only minor cardiopulmonary effects, compared with the stress of mild to moderate exercise alone. This seems to be true for both normal individuals and those with impaired lung function. Temperature effects of respirators are considered. Closed circuit breathing units have the potential for causing heat stress since warm expired gases are rebreathed. Fitness guidelines are discussed. It is noted that each case must be considered individually to determine fitness to wear respirators. A medical history and a limited physical examination as a minimum are recommended. The author concludes that individuals with a slight degree of lung disease can tolerate cardiopulmonary stresses produced by respirator use.
Keywords	Environmental surveys Industrial medicine Respirators Cardiology Respiratory systems Exposure Toxicity Inspection Hazardous materials Protectors Indoor air pollution Toxic substances Occupational safety and health Protective equipment
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine 57Y - Toxicology 94D - Job Environment 68G - Environmental Health & Safety 57D - Clinical Chemistry 68A - Air Pollution & Control
Corporate Authors	National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	198519

Screening Prospective Workers for the Ability to Use Respirators.

Screening Prospective Workers for the Ability to Use Respirators.
PB85207793

Publication Date	1984
Personal Author	Hodous, T. K.
Page Count	28
Abstract	Screening prospective workers for their ability to use respirators is discussed. Medical effects of wearing respirators are considered. The added inspiratory and expiratory resistance and dead space of most respirators generally causes an increased tidal volume, and decreased respiratory rate and ventilation. Cardiac effects of respirator wear are discussed. While the added work of breathing from respirators is small, a heavy respirator can cause considerable cardiac stress due to the added weight. Light weight respirators involving work or exercise at submaximal efforts exert only minor cardiopulmonary effects, compared with the stress of mild to moderate exercise alone. This seems to be true for both normal individuals and those with impaired lung function. Temperature effects of respirators are considered. Closed circuit breathing units have the potential for causing heat stress since warm expired gases are rebreathed. Fitness guidelines are discussed. It is noted that each case must be considered individually to determine fitness to wear respirators. A medical history and a limited physical examination as a minimum are recommended. The author concludes that individuals with a slight degree of lung disease can tolerate cardiopulmonary stresses produced by respirator use.
Keywords	Environmental surveys Industrial medicine Respirators Cardiology Respiratory systems Exposure Toxicity Inspection Hazardous materials Protectors Indoor air pollution Toxic substances Occupational safety and health Protective equipment
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine 57Y - Toxicology 94D - Job Environment 68G - Environmental Health & Safety 57D - Clinical Chemistry 68A - Air Pollution & Control
Corporate Authors	National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	198519