title: Performance of an improperly sized and stretched-out loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirator: Manikin-based study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the protection level offered by a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) equipped with an improperly sized or stretched-out loose-fitting facepiece using constant and cyclic flow conditions. Improperly sized PAPR facepieces of two models as well as a stretched-out facepiece were tested. These facepieces were examined in two versions: with and without exhaust holes. Loose-fitting facepieces (size "large") were donned on a small manikin headform and challenged with sodium chloride (NaCl) aerosol particles in an exposure chamber. Four cyclic flows with mean inspiratory flows (MIFs) of 30, 55, 85, and 135 L/min were applied using an electromechanical Breathing Recording and Simulation System (BRSS). The manikin Fit Factor (mFF) was determined as the ratio of aerosol concentrations outside (Cout) to inside (Cin) of the facepiece, measured with a P-Trak condensation particle counter (CPC). Results showed that the mFF decreased exponentially with increasing MIF. The mFF values of the stretched-out facepiece were significantly lower than those obtained for the undamaged ones. Facepiece type and MIF were found to significantly affect the performance of the loose-fitting PAPR. The effect of the exhaust holes was less pronounced and depended on the facepiece type. It was concluded that an improperly sized facepiece might potentially offer relatively low protection (mFF < 250) at high to strenuous workloads. The testing was also performed at a constant inhalation flow to explore the mechanism of the particle-facepiece interaction. Results obtained with cyclic flow pattern were consistent with the data generated when testing the loose-fitting PAPR under constant flow conditions. The time-weighted average values of mFF calculated from the measurements conducted under the constant flow regime were capable of predicting the protection under cyclic flow regime. The findings suggest that program administrators need to equip employees with properly sized facepieces and remove stretched-out ones from workplace. Manufacturers should emphasize the importance of proper sizing with their user instructions.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Health-Related Aerosol Studies, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: a Center for Health-Related Aerosol Studies, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: Roy T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.affiliation: a Center for Health-Related Aerosol Studies, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yermakov
authors.affiliation: a Center for Health-Related Aerosol Studies, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: Jinyong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: a Center for Health-Related Aerosol Studies, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reponen
authors.affiliation: b Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering , Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University , Morgantown , West Virginia.
authors.forename: Xinjian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: c Koken Ltd. , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Kazushi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.affiliation: a Center for Health-Related Aerosol Studies, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: Sergey A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Grinshpun
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D008348:Manikins; D008422:Materials Testing; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010316:Particle Size; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D012965:Sodium Chloride
keywords: Cyclic flow; loose-fitting facepiece; manikin protection factor; powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)