42. Association of Body Mass Index with Facial Dimensions for Defining Respirator Fit Panels

Roberge, Raymond J.; Zhuang, Zian; Stein, Linda

doi:10.3320/1.2753433

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…[2] Since the 1995 regulation revision, a number of studies have been conducted to compare different fit test methods and assess characteristics associated with fit. [3–7] Numerous researchers and external organizations such as the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) have urged NIOSH to resolve the remaining technical issues and move forward with a process to ensure that NIOSH-certified respirators are capable of fitting a specified percentage of intended user populations and users with a wide range of facial sizes. [8–11] …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommended test methods and pass/fail criteria for a respirator fit capability test of half-mask air-purifying respirators

Zhuang

Bergman

Lei

et al. 2017

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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This study assessed key test parameters and pass/fail criteria options for developing a respirator fit capability (RFC) test for half-mask air-purifying particulate respirators. Using a 25-subject test panel, benchmark RFC data were collected for 101 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-certified respirator models. These models were further grouped into 61 one-, two-, or three-size families. Fit testing was done using a PortaCount® Plus with N95-Companion accessory and an Occupational Safety and Health Administration-accepted quantitative fit test protocol. Three repeated tests (donnings) per subject/respirator model combination were performed. The panel passing rate (PPR) (number or percentage of the 25-subject panel achieving acceptable fit) was determined for each model using five different alternative criteria for determining acceptable fit. When the 101 models are evaluated individually (i.e., not grouped by families), the percentages of models capable of fitting >75% (19/25 subjects) of the panel were 29% and 32% for subjects achieving a fit factor ≥100 for at least one of the first two donnings and at least one of three donnings, respectively. When the models are evaluated grouped into families and using >75% of panel subjects achieving a fit factor ≥100 for at least one of two donnings as the PPR pass/fail criterion, 48% of all models can pass. When >50% (13/25 subjects) of panel subjects was the PPR criterion, the percentage of passing models increased to 70%. Testing respirators grouped into families and evaluating the first two donnings for each of two respirator sizes provided the best balance between meeting end user expectations and creating a performance bar for manufacturers. Specifying the test criterion for a subject obtaining acceptable fit as achieving a fit factor ≥100 on at least one out of the two donnings is reasonable because a majority of existing respirator families can achieve an PPR of >50% using this criterion. The different test criteria can be considered by standards development organizations when developing standards.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommended test methods and pass/fail criteria for a respirator fit capability test of half-mask air-purifying respirators

Zhuang

Bergman

Lei

et al. 2017

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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“…(5) This is logical, given that an increase in buccal region (cheek) dimensions frequently occurs in concert with significant excess weight gain (13,14) due to concurrent expansion of facial adipocytes (fat cells). Face width and length are the major determinants of a person's position in a specific cell of the NIOSH respirator fit test panel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These measurements aid in estimating the size of a respirator that will best fit that individual and have been shown to be increased in obesity. (5) Under the influence of the gestational hormone progesterone, body fat begins to accumulate in femoral and abdominal regions (15) during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. This fat is mobilized during the third trimester for energy needs and upcoming lactation requirements, such that pregnancy is the only normal physiological process for an adult that increases body weight by ≥20%.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such conditions include, but are not limited to, facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight (underlining added by study authors for emphasis). (4) A prior survey of men and women RPE users (5) has shown a significant association of increased facial dimensions (i.e., face length and face width) with an increase in the Body Mass Index (BMI), an approximation of body habitus derived from the ratio of body weight in kilograms to height in square meters. Pregnancy is not considered an exclusion to wearing RPE and is not mentioned on the OSHA medical questionnaire (4) used to evaluate workers who will be wearing RPE, irrespective of the fact that significant weight gain occurs during gestation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Pregnancy Upon Facial Anthropometrics and Respirator Fit Testing

Roberge

Kim

Palmiero

et al. 2015

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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Workers required to wear respirators must undergo additional respirator fit testing if a significant change in body weight occurs. Approximately 10% of working women of reproductive age will be pregnant and experience a significant change in weight, yet the effect of pregnancy-associated weight gain on respirator fit is unknown. Cephalo-facial anthropometric measurements and quantitative fit testing of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 FFR) of 15 pregnant women and 15 matched, non-pregnant women were undertaken for comparisons between the groups.There were no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women with respect to cephalo-facial anthropometric measurements or N95 FFR quantitative fit tests. Healthy pregnant workers, who adhere to the recommended weight gain limits of pregnancy, are unlikely to experience an increase in cephalo-facial dimensions that would mandate additional N95 FFR fit testing above that which is normally required on an annual basis.

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“…OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard provision 1910.134 (c) (2) describes the provisions for voluntary respirator use in the workplace. 75 Also, because average weight gain during pregnancy is >20 lb and increased body mass index (BMI) associated with weight gain has been shown to affect facial measurements that are used in fit testing, 76 it is possible that an appropriate fit-tested respirator selected in early pregnancy might not be adequate in the latter stages of pregnancy (if there is facial weight gain). Lastly, because the hood apparatus used in qualitative respirator fit testing has been shown to house increased CO 2 concentrations and decreased O 2 levels that could be potentially harmful to the pregnant woman, 10 it may be prudent to employ only quantitative respirator fit testing during pregnancy.…”

Section: Filtering Facepiece Respirator Use In Pregnancymentioning

confidence: 98%

Physiological Burden Associated with the Use of Filtering Facepiece Respirators (N95 Masks) during Pregnancy

Roberge

2009

Journal of Women's Health

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Very little rigorous scientific data exist on the physiological burden associated with the use of filtering facepiece respirators by pregnant women, and no definitive conclusions can be reached at this time. Although studies are warranted, they may be difficult to undertake because of health concerns and potential liability associated with the use of pregnant women in medical research. Computer modeling that incorporates features of pulmonary function in pregnancy might offer an alternative to human studies. Filtering facepiece respirators developed to meet the respiratory limitations of pregnant wearers might offer a universal design that would improve the comfort and tolerability for all users. Alternative strategies that limit the pregnant woman's contact with potentially infectious agents (e.g., job reassignment, working from home) may have to be employed in certain circumstances.

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42. Association of Body Mass Index with Facial Dimensions for Defining Respirator Fit Panels

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Recommended test methods and pass/fail criteria for a respirator fit capability test of half-mask air-purifying respirators

Recommended test methods and pass/fail criteria for a respirator fit capability test of half-mask air-purifying respirators

Effect of Pregnancy Upon Facial Anthropometrics and Respirator Fit Testing

Physiological Burden Associated with the Use of Filtering Facepiece Respirators (N95 Masks) during Pregnancy

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