Exercise protocols and their effects on quantitative respirator fit tests

Abstract

A negative pressure quantitative fit testing device was used to test the effect exercise protocol has on leakage rates into a negative pressure respirator. Modified exercise protocols were developed for use with the negative pressure system. Aerosol data was analyzed to determine the effect exercises have had on leakage rates using other QNFT systems. Results show that the position of the head affects the amount of leakage into the facepiece. Mean leakage into the respirator mask increased for all positions tested in one phase of the study. However, statistical analysis of the data showed that the increase was not statistically significant. Aerosol data analysis also showed that increases in leakage into the mask were not statistically significant. Conclusions drawn from this study are that although movement of the head may affect the leakage into a respirator it is not significant enough to alter the protection afforded the worker.