BACKGROUND In South Africa, respiratory protective equipment is often the primary control method used to protect workers. This preliminary study investigated how well a common disposable P2 respirator fitted persons with a range of facial dimensions. METHODS Quantitative respirator fit tests were performed on 29 volunteers from different racial, gender and face size groups. Two facial dimensi...

OBJECTIVES This study quantified the particle size effect on the performance of elastomeric half-mask respirators, which are widely used by firefighters and first responders exposed to combustion aerosols. METHODS One type of elastomeric half-mask respirator equipped with two P-100 filters was donned on a breathing manikin while challenged with three combustion aerosols (originated by burning...

BACKGROUND There are substantial differences between the costs of medical masks and N95 respirators. Cost-effectiveness analysis is required to assist decision-makers evaluating alternative healthcare worker (HCW) mask/respirator strategies. This study aims to compare the cost-effectiveness of N95 respirators and medical masks for protecting HCWs in Beijing, China. METHODS We developed a cost...

Respiratory protective masks are used whenever it is too costly or impractical to remove airborne contamination from the atmosphere. Respirators are used in a wide range of occupations, form the military to medicine. Respirators have been found to interfere with many physiological and psychological aspects of task performance at levels from resting to maximum exertion. Many of these limitations...

P< .0001). Within the time frame of a typical patient care encounter (approximately 30 minutes), there was a <0.02 log10 reduction in virus at 40% RH, while there was a <0.1 logi0 reduction at 60% RH. Achieving a 4 log reduction of infectious virus on a mask surface would take 87 hours at 40% RH and 20 hours at 60% RH. Enveloped bacteriophage $6 can survive on the surface of an N95 respirator l...

Respirator fit test panels provide an objective tool for selecting representative human test subjects based upon their facial characteristics for use in research, product development, testing and certification. Fit test panels were typically based upon anthropometric data such as the 1967-1968 survey of American military personnel. In this study, the objectives were to: (i) evaluate the applica...

High tracheostomy through the second or third tracheal cartilage is performed using the widest possible silver cannula, i.e. usually 3 to 4 mm. in diameter at the distal opening, to fit tightly into the tracheal lumen. The cannula is double-lumen unfenestrated and protrudes beyond the guard plate so that the small standard tubings of the respirator can easily be connected to it. The patient is ...