• 한국안전학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.35-41
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• 2016

Particulate filtering facepiece respirators (PFFR) is one of the most widely used items of personal protective equipments, and a tight fit of the respirators on the wearers is critical for the protection effectiveness. In order to effectively protect the workers through the respirators, it is important to find and evaluate the ways that can be readily applicable at the workplace to improve the fit of the respirators. This study was designed to evaluate effects of mask style (cup or foldable type) and donning training on fit factors (FF) of the respirators, since these are available at various workplace, especially at small business workplace. A total of 40 study subjects, comprised of 30~50s aged male and female workers in metalworking industries, were enrolled in this study. The FF were quantitatively measured before and after training related to the proper donning and use of cup or foldable-type respirators. The pass/fail criterion of FF was set at 100. After the donning training for the cup-type mask, subjects who passed the fit test were increased from 10 to 33. Moreover, the geometric mean (GM) of FF was increased by 340% in subjects who failed the test. In addition, the training effects for the cup-type mask were significant in female and 50s aged subjects. On the other hand, although the GM of FF for the foldable-type mask was also increased after the donning training, the GM of FF for the foldable-type mask and it's increase rate were smaller as compared to the cup-type mask. Furthermore, the differences of the increase rates of the GM of FF in sex and aged of the subjects were not significantly for the foldable-type mask. The multi-distribution of leak points for the foldable-type mask may be one of causes for the less effect of training on the fit of the foldable-type mask. These results imply that the raining on the donning and use of PFFR can enhance the protection effectiveness of cup or foldable-type mask, and that the training effects for the foldable-type mask is less significant than that for the cup-type mask. Therefore, It is recommended that the donning training and fit tests should be conducted before the use of the PFFR, and that efficient tranining programs for the foldable-type mask are required.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.38-54
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• 1996

Respirator fit testing is required before entering specific work environmentals to ensure that the respirator worn satisfies a minimum of fit and that the user knows when the respirator fits properly. The fit of a respirator can be determined by qualitative (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT). The QNFT, having been universally accepted more than the QLFT, provide an objective and numerical basis by measuring a fit factor (FF). Until a few years age, only one QNFT technigue was available and accepted by U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. In the 1980's and 1990's, several new and fundamentally different QNFT methods were developed. Two of the newer methods are commercially availale and are accepted by OSHA as suitable alternatives. In this articles, the principle of operation of each ONFT technique is explained and each technique's major advantages and disadvantages are pointed out. Emphasis is given to negative-pressure air-purifying respirators, as they are in most frequent use today. The requirements and recommendations for fit testing positive-pressure respirators are discussed as well. Finally, the presently available QNFT standards and regulations are summarized to assist the user in making fit testing decisions.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.14-22
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• 1999

This study was conducted to evaluate workplace protection factors(WPF) for two half-facepiece respirators (HR-1, HR-2) in welding workplace and to provide data on the workplace performance of negative-pressure, half-facepiece respirators against airborne particulate contaminants. The outside iron oxide(Fe2O3) concentration of welding fume for the respirator HR-1 ranged from 0.177 to $12.508mg/m^3$ with a geometric mean of $1.118mg/m^3$ and the HR-2 respirator showed a iron oxide range of 0.500 to $3.494mg/m^3$ with a geometric mean of $1.082mg/m^3$. But the inside oxide concentration of welding fume for the respirator HR-1 ranged from 0.002 to $0.364mg/m^3$ with a geometric mean of $0.019mg/m^3$ and the HR-2 respirator showed a iron oxide range of 0.012 to $0.639mg/m^3$ with a geometric mean of $0.041mg/m^3$. The iron oxide inside concentrations were significantly less than $5mg/m^3$(TLV) for both of respirators. The WPF were ranged from 3 to 3744 with a geometric mean of 60 for HR-1 and range from 2 to 129 a geometric mean of 26 for HR-2. And, in this study, the 5th percentile of the workplace protection factors for half-facepiece aspirators (HR-1, HR-2) were 11.2 and 7.1, respectively. The correlation relationship between the Quantative Fit Factors(QNFT) and the WPF for half-mask negative pressure respirators were 0.099 and 0.460.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.370-376
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• 2019

Background: Respirator fit testing is a method to assess if the respirator provides an adequate face seal for the worker. Methods: Workers from four Norwegian smelters were invited to participate in the study, and 701 respirator fit tests were performed on 127 workers. Fourteen respirator models were included: one FFABE1P3 and 11 FFP3 respirator models produced in one size and two silicone half masks with P3 filters available in three sizes. The workers performed a quantitative fit test according to Health and Safety Executive 282/28 with 5-6 different respirator models, and they rated the respirators based on comfort. Predictors of overall fit factors were explored. Results: The pass rate for all fit tests was 62%, 56% for women, and 63% for men. The silicone respirators had the highest percentage of passed tests (92-100%). The pass rate for the FFP3 models varied from 19-89%, whereas the FFABE1P3 respirator had a pass rate of 36%. Five workers did not pass with any respirators, and 14 passed with all the respirators tested. Only 63% passed the test with the respirator they normally used. The mean comfort score on the scale from 1 to 5 was 3.2. The respirator model was the strongest predictor of the overall fit factor. The other predictors (age, sex, and comfort score) did not improve the fit of the model. Conclusion: There were large differences in how well the different respirator models fitted the Norwegian smelter workers. The results can be useful when choosing which respirators to include in respirator fit testing programs in similar populations.

• 한국안전학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.52-60
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• 2018

This study compares the differences of the fit factor by the order of wearing preference between Particulate filtering facepiece respirators(PFFR) and glasses when participants wore simultaneously and a survey of physical and visual complaint. Recognition level about fit of respirators was investigated and the educational (before- and after-) effect of the fit factor. When participants wore PFFR and glasses, physical complaints were nose pressure, slipping, nose and ear pressure, ear pressure and rim loosen, the most highly physical complaints were nose pressure. Visual complaints were demister, blurry vision, dizziness, visual field, and lens dirty, the most highly visual complaints were demister. But, there was significant difference in physical complaint such as nose pressure(10.3%), slipping (23.0%), nose and ear pressure(14.3%), and rim loosen(16.2%), visual complaint such as visual field(13.8%) and lens dirty(32.4%). For the recognition of fit of respirators, respirators fitness, leak site, an initial point and an object, faulty factor, recognition level was higher. Fit factor was increased after education of proper wearing of respirator. Change of the fit factor was smaller compared to the normal breathing and after 6 actions in case of after education. Questionnaire consisted of general characteristics and physical/visual complaint, recognition of fit. Complaints were measured after the QNFT with multiple choices. Quantitative fit factor was measured by device and compared the result of (before- and after-) educational effect. Also, we selected to 6 actions (Normal breathing, Deep breathing, Bending over, Turning head side to side, Moving head up and down, Normal breathing) among 8 actions OSHA QNFT (Quantitative Fit testing) protocol to measure the fit factors. The fit factor was higher after the training (p=0.000). Descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon analysis were performed to describe the result of questionnaire and fit test. (P=0.05) Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the quantitative research such as training program and glasses fitting factor about the wearing of PFFR and glasses simultaneously.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.432-439
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• 2004

Korean certification regulation for particulate filtering respirators requires inward leakage (IL) test as European Standards (EN) and the standard levels of regulation are the same as those of EN. This study was conducted to evaluate particulate filtering respirators being commercially used in the market by using IL and assess the characteristics of IL. The study began with discussing the concept of IL, comparison of IL with fit test, and IL measurement method. Three brands of half masks and 10 brands of filtering facepieces (two top class, four 1st class and four 2nd class), total 13 brands respirators, and 10 test panels (subjects) who were classified in 9 facial grids in accordance with face length and lip length, were selected for IL test. IL tests were conducted in the laboratory of 3M Innovation Center which was established by EN standard. As expected ILs of half masks were lower than those of filtering facepiece mask. ILs of half masks and some filtering facepieces were significantly different in manufacturers. ILs of 1st class filtering facepieces were found to be much more than those of 2nd class and thus the result would cause wearers to get confused to select a mask. Four of six brands being no compliance with standards were thought that they should be tested again for certification because of a lot of differences from standards. There were no significant differences among ILs of five exercises. In 6 out of 13 brands lognormal distribution of ILs may be a better fit distribution and in 7 brands both lognormal and normal distributions were rejected. The result indicates that geometric mean may be better than arithmetic mean to establish standard.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.133-145
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• 1998

The purposes of this study were to assess current status of respirator usage among workers in the small-scale industries and to identify those factors causing respirator wearers not to continuously wear respirators during work. Total 168 workers participated voluntarily in the survey. In order to cover all possible reasons, though not exclusive, 33 diverse questions were developed based upon the results in the published literatures and from researchers' own experience. The most common type of respirator worn was the disposable single-use respirator(42%). However, masks made of gauze, which should not be considered as a respirator, were widely used (38%). Only 28% of respondents indicated they wear respirators continuously during work. The major reasons for removing respirators include, in descending order of frequency, difficulty in breathing (46%), sweating (39%), bothered by frequent removal (21%), inadequate mask size (19%) and hot air temperature inside the respirator (19%), etc. In addition, minor reasons including mask design, administrative, and personal reasons were also identified. These reasons should be considered in a well designed respirator program in order to improve workers' acceptance and usage of respirators.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.1-13
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• 1999

Even though there is no fit test regulations in Korea, in many developed countries, respirator fit testing is required before entering specific work environment to ensure that the respirator worn satisfies a minimum of fit and that the user knows when the respirator fits properly. Due to no regulation for fit test, a lot of Korean workers wearing respirators may be potentially exposed to hazards. Anthropometric test panels for testing the fit of respirators are very important to develop respirators fitted properly for Korean workers. To evaluate the fitting performance, 304 workers (272 males, 32 females) and 536 students (268 male, 268 females) were fit tested for 4 full-facepieces (2 domestic-made S, C, and 2 foreign-made T, N), 2 half masks (1 domestic-made S, and 1 foreign-made T) and 3 quarter masks (2 domestic-made S, C, and 1 foreign-made T) with PortaCount 8020. Fit factors of foreign-made masks were higher than those of domestic-made masks in all types. Males were fitted more properly than females. A facial dimension survey of 364 workers (339 males, 25 females) and 158 students (69 males, 89 females) was conducted to develop test panels for fit testing. Subjects were selected on the basis of face length and face width to wear full-facepiece masks in test. For testing half- and quarter masks, face length and lip length were used. Test panels containing 25 male-and-female subjects and 16 male subjects were respectively developed for full-facepiece, and half-and quarter masks to represent a majority of population surveyed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.440-448
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• 1998

In many developed countries, for example, USA, respirator fit testing is required before entering specific work environment to ensure that the respirator worn satisfies a minimum of fit and that the user knows when the respirator fits properly. Unfortunately because we have not fit test regulation in Korea, a lot of workers wearing respirators may be potentially exposed to hazards. This study was conducted to evaluate the fitting performance for respirators and correlation fit factors with facial dimensions of wearers. 110 subjects (70 males, 40 females) were fit tested for three quarter masks, i.e., two domestic-made Mask 2, and Y and one foreign-made Mask T using PortaCount 8020. A facial dimension survey of the same subjects was conducted to develop a facial dimension grids fer correlation fit factors with facial dimension parameters. A facial dimension grid was developed on the basis of face length and lip length for quarter masks. The results obtained were as follows : 1 Fit factors of Mask T were much higher than those of Masks Z, and Y. 2. Males were fitted more properly than females. 3. Male in box 'f' of grid would be adequately fitted Mask Y and male in box 'b', 'e', 'f', 'h' of grid would be sufficiently fitted Mask T. Female in box 'h' of grid may have a good fitting performance for both Mask Y, and T. But subjects in all boxes of grid would be inadequately fitted Mask Z.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한예방의학회 1998년도 제50차 추계 학술대회 연제집
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• pp.155-156
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• 1998