title: Multidomain subjective response to respirator use during simulated work.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  : Evaluate subjective tolerance to respirator use outside of traditional industrial settings by users including persons with mild respiratory impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  : The response to respirator use (half face mask dual cartridge and N95) was measured during eight types of work activities as well as in an exercise laboratory setting. The 43 research subjects included persons with mild respiratory impairments. Multiple domains of subjective response were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : Mixed model regression analyses assessing the effect of respirator type and task type showed: 1) most tolerated respirator use well; 2) half face mask respirators typically had greater adverse impact than N95 types; 3) multiple subjective outcomes, rather than only comfort/breathing impact, should be measured; and 4) rated subjective impact during work activities is less than in exercise laboratory settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : The results suggest that respirator use may be feasible on a widespread basis if necessary in the face of epidemic or terror concerns.
authors.affiliation: Occupational-Environmental Preventive Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif, USA. pharber@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harber
authors.forename: Siddharth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Silverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Yihang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000523:psychology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases; D013147:Spirometry; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult