New respirator performance monitor (RePM) for powered air-purifying respirators

Abstract

Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) that offer protection from particulates are deployed in different workplace environments. Usage of PAPRs by healthcare workers is rapidly increasing; these respirators are often considered the best option in healthcare settings, particularly during public health emergency situations, such as outbreaks of pandemic diseases. At the same time, lack of user training and certain vigorous work activities may lead to a decrease in a respirator's performance. There is a critical need for real-time performance monitoring of respiratory protective devices, including PAPRs. In this effort, a new robust and low-cost real-time performance monitor (RePM) capable of evaluating the protection offered by a PAPR against aerosol particles at a workplace was developed. The new device was evaluated on a manikin and on human subjects against a pair of condensation nuclei counters (P-Trak) used as the reference protection measurement system. The outcome was expressed as a manikin-based protection factor (mPF) and a Simulated Workplace Protection Factor (SWPF) determined while testing on subjects. For the manikin-based testing, the data points collected by the two methods were plotted against each other; a near-perfect correlation was observed with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. This high correlation is particularly remarkable since RePM and condensation particle counter (CPC) measure in different particle size ranges. The data variability increased with increasing mPF. The evaluation on human subjects demonstrated that RePM prototype provided an excellent Sensitivity (96.3% measured on human subjects at a response time of 60 sec) and a Specificity of 100%. The device is believed to be the first of its kind to quantitatively monitor PAPR performance while the wearer is working; it is small, lightweight, and does not interfere with job functions.

A systematic review of passing fit testing of the masks and respirators used during the COVID-19 pandemic: Part 1-quantitative fit test procedures

“…Also, four studies had no human subjects; then, they were categorized as laboratory studies [44,[118][119][120]. Eight studies were conducted using a manikin, or mannequin, or headform [36,49,[121][122][123][124][125][126]]. Among all, five studies were performed using human subjects and one manikin [36,[121][122][123]125].…”

“…Eight studies were conducted using a manikin, or mannequin, or headform [36,49,[121][122][123][124][125][126]]. Among all, five studies were performed using human subjects and one manikin [36,[121][122][123]125].…”

What We Are Learning from COVID-19 for Respiratory Protection: Contemporary and Emerging Issues

“…New FFR face-seal designs that can fit a broader ethnic range of individuals should be explored; for example, some studies achieved an improved fit by adding a new structure inside the FFR perimeter [ 168 ]. Moreover, real-time fit sensing and leak warning technology incorporated into the FFRs also seems promising [ 169 , 170 , 171 ]. Additionally, advanced materials should be incorporated into FFR construction to achieve a custom or adaptive fit for wearers.…”