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Factors Affecting Respirator Leak Sites and Shapes.

PB95269858

Publication Date	1994
Personal Author	Oestenstad, R. K.
Page Count	48
Abstract	Quantitative fit tests were performed on 41 human subjects wearing three different brands of half face respirators to determine if the distribution of respirator leak sites and shapes on half mask respirators were affected by respirator brand, repetition of fit test, by fit test exercise, or by gender. The association of these factors and facial dimensions with respirator fit was investigated. Air flow streamline patterns were studied at elevated breathing rates. Although seven facial dimensions were found to have significant correlation coefficients with respirator fit, they were poor predictors of fit in both linear and logistic regression models. Correlation was strongly affected by gender. Only face length, of the dimensions currently used to define the half mask respirator test panel, was significantly correlated to fit. Analysis of leak site data indicated a very high proportion of cheek leaks and mutliple leaks that included the cheek and a high proportion of nose leaks. Gender, respirator brand or fit test repetition did not affect the distribution of the leak sites.
Keywords	Respirators Protective masks Occupational safety and health Anthropometry Face masks
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	95D - Human Factors Engineering 57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine 68G - Environmental Health & Safety
Corporate Authors	Alabama Univ. in Birmingham. School of Public Health.; National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH.
Supplemental Notes	See also PB90-162389. Sponsored by National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	199523

Factors Affecting Respirator Leak Sites and Shapes.

Factors Affecting Respirator Leak Sites and Shapes.
PB95269858

Publication Date	1994
Personal Author	Oestenstad, R. K.
Page Count	48
Abstract	Quantitative fit tests were performed on 41 human subjects wearing three different brands of half face respirators to determine if the distribution of respirator leak sites and shapes on half mask respirators were affected by respirator brand, repetition of fit test, by fit test exercise, or by gender. The association of these factors and facial dimensions with respirator fit was investigated. Air flow streamline patterns were studied at elevated breathing rates. Although seven facial dimensions were found to have significant correlation coefficients with respirator fit, they were poor predictors of fit in both linear and logistic regression models. Correlation was strongly affected by gender. Only face length, of the dimensions currently used to define the half mask respirator test panel, was significantly correlated to fit. Analysis of leak site data indicated a very high proportion of cheek leaks and mutliple leaks that included the cheek and a high proportion of nose leaks. Gender, respirator brand or fit test repetition did not affect the distribution of the leak sites.
Keywords	Respirators Protective masks Occupational safety and health Anthropometry Face masks
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	95D - Human Factors Engineering 57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine 68G - Environmental Health & Safety
Corporate Authors	Alabama Univ. in Birmingham. School of Public Health.; National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH.
Supplemental Notes	See also PB90-162389. Sponsored by National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	199523