Date of Award

Fall 12-6-2023

Degree Type

Publishable Paper

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Industrial Hygiene

Committee Chair

Lorri Birkenbuel

First Advisor

Dan Autenrieth

Second Advisor

Julie Hart

Third Advisor

Dave Gilkey

Fourth Advisor

Janet Coe

Abstract

N95 respirators are the most utilized respirator in the healthcare sector, and when properly fitted, protect workers from biological and chemical exposures. A respirator fit test is a protocol used to assess the seal between the user’s face and the respirator. Quantitative and Qualitative methods are both approved and used for respirator fit testing. Quantitative Condensation Nuclei Counting (CNC) uses instrumentation to measure the particles on the inside and outside of the respirator and calculates a fit factor, indicating how well the respirator fits. Qualitative fit testing (QLFT) relies on the individual’s ability to detect a challenge agent while wearing the respirator to identify seal breakage. The equipment used for quantitative fit testing (QNFT) is more expensive than the equipment used for QLFT. However, the procedure for QLFT requires nearly double the amount of time as required in QNFT. The aim of this research was to reduce the time burden associated with QLFT by evaluating the existing fast-fit method approved for QNFT when applied to the QLFT approach. This study compared the simultaneous quantitative and qualitative results of the fast-fit method to those of the reference method, and those of the modified reference method (without grimace). The participants completed three subsequent fit tests while wearing a ported N95 respirator connected to the Portacount®, which collected the quantitative measurements. The TSI Particle Generator dispersed Bitrex™ solution into the test chamber and the test administrator collected the results for the qualitative fit test. The three fit tests included the fast-fit method, the reference method, and a modified reference method that excluded the grimace exercise. The ANSI Z88.10 2010 “Respirator Fit Testing Methods” provided the criteria and requirements for the statistical analysis that followed. The results of the qualitative fast-fit method compared to the quantitative fast-fit method yielded a Kappa Statistic of 0.25. The results of the qualitative fast fit method compared to the quantitative reference method and quantitative modified reference method both yielded a Kappa Statistic of 0.11. The results of the qualitative fast fit method compared to the qualitative modified reference method yielded a Kappa Statistic of 0.76, which exceeded the ANSI recommended value of 0.70 and shows the two methods were in agreement. Although this comparison did not obtain passing results for all of the statistic tests, it identified potential for future studies, emphasizing the need to compare new qualitative fit test methods to the qualitative reference method, which excludes the grimace exercise.

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