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Factors that affect respirator fit-testing programs Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Balkhyour, Mansour Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 05/10/2021 08:46:20 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/289239 FACTORS THAT AFFECT RESPIRATOR FIT - TESTING PROGRAMS by Mansour Balkhyour A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF SOIL, WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY WITH A MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2004 UMI Number: 3158070 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform 3158070 Copyright 2005 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 2 The University of Arizona ® Graduate College As members of the Final Examination Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Mansnur A. Balkhvour entitled Factors that affect Respirator Fit-Testing Programs and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy ^ Y // t>6 y Dr. Charles P. Gerba ^date Roger Caldwell ^7 date /A, date Dr. Mark Van Ert r^K^'iy keynolds date date Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate's submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that 1 have read this dissertation prepared under ray direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. /1s/z) 4^ Dissertation Director; Dr. Charles P. Gerba date 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when, in his or her judgment, the proposed use of the material is in the interests of .scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. Signed 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank Dr. Charles Gerba, Committee Chairman, and Committee members, Dr. Cliff Crutchfieid, Dr. Mark van Ert, Dr. Roger Caldwell, and Dr. Kelly Reynolds. Special thanks to Dr. Arun Josymla. M.D., Mr. Mohammed Tourabi and Sally R. Littau for their help. Thanks to Dr. Mohammed Karim and Dr. Absar Alum for their support during my Ph.D. program. Thanks to Kelley Riley and Patricia Orosz-Coghlan for their help. Special gratitude to all the subjects involved in the study and to Dorothy Peltz for her help in typing and editing. Special acknowledgement and thanks to my family who helped me in every way through the years of my study. 5 DEDICATION I dedicate this work to the soul of my father who took me to my first day of school and to the soul of my mother who was with me at the airport for the first flight to the United States to earn my Ph.D., and who prayed and hoped for my success. I dedicate this work to my wife for her strength and love throughout my studies, to my children, Ahmed and Omar, and to my brothers and sister. And I dedicate this work to all the rest of my family and friends who supported and prayed for me. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES 9 ABSTRACT... 10 L INTRODUCTION 11 Purpose of Study .,..11 Background 12 Air Purifying Respirator Use 19 Fit Testing... 19 Qualitative and Quantitative Fit Testing 21 Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP) 22 Mask Donning 24 Facial Hair Growth 25 Objective of the Study 30 Present Study 31 References 32 APPENDIX 1: GLOSSARY OF TERMS 36 APPENDIX 2: EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK ON REDUCTION OF RESPIRATOR LEAKAGE ASSOCIATED WITH MASK DONNING 39 Abstract 40 Introduction 41 Test Procedure 43 Study Objective 43 Methods and Materials...... 43 Human Subjects Tests..... 47 Statistical Analysis 48 Results and Discussion ..49 Conclusions 56 Recommendations ...56 References 58 List of Photographs Photograph i 44 Photograph 2 ............45 Photograph 3 ..46 List of Tables Table 1 49 Table2 51 Table 3 53 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS - Continued Table 4 54 List of Figures Figure 1 50 Figure 2 50 Figure 3 53 Figure 4 55 Figure 5 55 List of Supplements Supplement A 57 APPENDIX 3: COMPARISON OF RESPIRATOR LEAKAGE ASSOCIATED WITH FACIAL HAIR GROWTH IN TWO ETHNIC GROUPS .....59 Abstract 60 Introduction 61 Methods and Materials 63 Experimental Approach 66 Human Subject Tests 67 Statistical Analysis 72 Results and Discussion 72 Study Limitations 79 Conclusions 79 References 82 List of Photographs Photograph 1 64 Photograph 2 65 Photograph 3a 68 Photograph 3b 69 Photograph 4a 70 Photograph 4b 71 List of Tables Table 1 75 List of Figures Figure 1 73 Figure 2 73 Figure 3 ..74 Figure 4 74 Figure 5 76 Figure 6 76 Figure 7 77 Figure 8 78 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS - Coniinued List of Supplements Supplement A 80 APPENDIX 4: APPROVAL OF CONSENT FORM..... ..83 APPENDIX 5: CONSENT FORM..... 85 9 LIST OF FIGURES 1. Design of Full Face Respirator 16 2. Design of a Half Face Respirator 17 3. Design of a Quarter Face Respirator 18 10 ABSTRACT Respirators are used to minimize the exposure to air contaminants. A good fit is essential for the effective functioning of a respirator. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires an annual respirator fit testing. Respirator fit can be assessed either qualitatively or quantitatively. Two studies were conducted to assess the fit testing program with specific objectives to: 1) assess leak rates in full and half mask respirators, 2) assess the effectiveness of "feedback"' on the quality of fit; 3) evaluate the effect of daily beard growth on respirator leak rates. In the first study, it was found that the half mask respirator has a significantly lower leak rate than the full face respirator. A significant reduction in leak rate in both respirator types with "feedback" was also observed. The finding that half mask respirators have lower leak rates directly contradicts American National Standard Institute's (ANSI) guidelines of higher Assigned Protection Factor (APF) for full mask respirator. Further studies are necessary to determine these findings and to amend respirator recommendations in the future. As expected beard growth was associated with respirator leak rate. The effect of daily growth on leak rate over a period of twelve days could be defined by a second order regression equation. An attempt was made to describe some characteristics of beard that affect the leak rate. After 12 days of beard growth, it was found that the aspect ratio (length/diameter) of hair was inversely correlated with leak rate (r = 0.64). ' Feedback: A numerical value measuring the minimum leak rate that can be gotten from a respirator fitting with a normal donning. 11 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The idea of a protective device, such as a respirator for eliminating hazardous exposures to problematic chemical contaminants, dates back to the time of the Romans when mine workers were experiencing exposure to red oxide in lead. Around the 1700s, the forerunner of the present day masks were developed. Then as now, the performance of respirator devices was based on two purposes: 1) The removal of dangerous substances in the air, such as dust, toxic particles, vapors, gases, fumes, mists, smoke or oxygen- deficient atmosphere, and 2) providing a clean air supply from an unpolluted source. After the First World War in which chemical warfare was used, the respirator became even more important. One of the last major improvements in respirators occurred in 1930 when dust filters were developed which provided efficient and inexpensive protection from particles suspended in air. The most recent improvement has been the development of very efficient filters from fine glass fibers (Respiratory Protection, 1994). Purpose of the Study All respirators must achieve a good facepiece to face seal to be effective. Facial hair, such as beards and sideburns affect the effectiveness of the mask seal. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that instruction and training are important components for respirator use. This training must include a proper fitting of the mask with a fit test which includes the wearer receiving instructions, demonstrations, practice wearing, and adjustment. As suggested by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), the facepiece fit test should be evaluated 12 annually although few criteria have yet been established which determines appropriate intervals for fit testing. In 1997, for some chemical hazards, such as asbestos, lead, cadmium, benzene and others, one fit test was deemed ineffective.