8 Reasons Irritant Smoke is Better

8 Reasons Irritant Smoke is Better then Sweet and Bitters

8 Reasons Irritant Smoke is Better then Sweet and Bitters. When conducting a Qualitative Respirator Fit Test, there are several advantages when using VeriFit Irritant Smoke Generators rather then using Sweet and Bitter Solution. From time in conducting the tests, cost to the tester associated with each, medical concerns and cost to test subject of company. However, first a little background information.   

Qualitative and Quantitative Fit Tests

This is just the basics in differences for this article. For a more comprehensive description of both, please see a Pdf by 3M at this link.  

Quantitative Fit Test

A Quantitative Fit Test objectively measures the amount of leakage in a respirator while a person is wearing it. These specialized computer kits cost on average between $1500 and $4000.

Qualitative Fit Test

A Qualitative Fit Test subjectively relies on the persons senses and is a pass or fail test. For taste and smell, solutions of Sweet and Bitters are used. Or in the case of Irritant Smoke, the subject’s reaction (usually a cough) when the smoke is detected. Qualitative Fit Test Kits are substantially less in price, $100 to $600.

Sweet and Bitter Fit Test

The biggest factor with Sweet (Saccharin) and Bitter (Denatonium Benzoate) is the tester has to rely on the honesty of the test subject that they can indeed detect the solutions. This method also incorporates a hood to be worn during the test. This can be an issue for some who have Claustrophobia. In addition, it is also time consuming. During the procedures a sensitivity test is conducted to determine if the test subject can detect either or both of the 2 different solutions. Then a 15-minute waiting period must be observed before the fit test can commence. In some cases, subjects are not able to detect the Sweet and/ or the Bitter Solution.

 

VeriFit Irritant Smoke

1^st.

VeriFit Irritant Smoke take a person’s honesty right out of the equation. If the smoke is detected by the subject, they will start to cough. It’s a TRUE “Pass Fail Test”.

2^nd.

The cost is a lot cheaper. A pack of 10 smoke generators will cost between $100 and $120

3^rd.

Transportation and storage is so much simpler. The kits fit right in a briefcase or individual generators can go straight into your vis vest.

4^th.

The kits are a lot smaller, about the same size as an old VHS tape. For those born after 2008, the size is roughly 4.5” Wide by 8” Long by 1” High.

5^th.

There’s no measuring and mixing of solutions. As well there is no need for extra containers, or measuring cups.

6^th. 

Clean up and disposal is quicker, safer, and less invasive to the environment. Just replace the cap and dispose of it into the garbage.

7^th.

The cost to your customers can be substantially less as well. Because the kits are cheaper and time needed is less, you can charge accordingly.

8^th.

The time associated with the test is a fraction of Sweet and Bitter. Actual test time is just a few minutes. During COVID-19 this was critical as all Medical and Dental professionals and swell as associated workers were required to be fit tested prior to seeing patients. The same went for all 1^st responders and essential services. Even though the country was in lock down, these workers still needed to be available. With tens of thousands of these workers needing fit testing immediately, time was crucial. VeriFit Irritant Smoke was 10 times quicker.    

 Conclusion

In conclusion, I personally like using VeriFit over Sweet and Bitter Solutions for those 8 reasons and the many others not mentioned. Manufactured by Nextteq, the advantages over the other Irritant Smoke Test Kits include being safer as you don’t need to break the ends off a glass tube. As well you don’t need to attach a secondary pump bulb. VeriFit comes with its own pump built right into each generator.  

N95 Respirator Fit Testing and Irritant Smoke

The most common narrative is that a N95 Respirator Fit Testing and Irritant Smoke in a contradiction. Fit tester are not supposed to use Irritant Smoke when testing a face seal on N95 Cloth Respirators. 

One particular website stated:

"This fit test method relies on spraying a hazardous chemical called hydrogen chloride towards the employee’s face while they are wearing the respirator; if this chemical irritates their eyes, nose, and lungs, this indicates the respirator is leaking. It’s a less accurate, dangerous, and error-prone method" 

 First off, when a fit test is conducted using any substances to determine if there is any leakage, the fit tester must NOT spay the product being used directly into the face. This action is unnatural in the real world where a worker would use a respirator. A worker would never stand in the direct line of fire of any substances being sprayed into their face while conducting a job task. The procedure would be to shut off the substance being spayed there by lessening the hazard and risk the worker has to face by a fraction.

Furthermore, the complaint that the N95 HEPA Filter is only capable of filtering out 95% of the particulates that are .3 microns or bigger is a huge issue. Yet the P100 HEPA Filters used on a Half Face Respirator filters out 99.97% of the particulates that are .3 microns or bigger. Both capture the same size of particulate (.3 microns), with only a 4.97% difference in the structured amount of smoke.

Moreover, it’s been said there is a risk to the health of the one being tested when using smoke to fit test a N95. However, smoke is perfectly fine when testing a half face with P100s. What if the respirator isn’t achieving a perfect seal, the one wearing the respirator starts to cough do to breathing in the smoke, That’s OK with no health risks? 

Most so-called experts suggest the use of Saccharin and or Bitrex (sweet and bitter) solutions when conducting a qualitative fit test (QLFT). However, they never mention the negative aspects of these substances or the method in which is employed for this test. First off while wearing the N95 a large hood is placed over the head of the one being tested, followed by spaying the solution inside.

Here's the 2 major flaws in this method

1. You have to trust the honesty of the one being tested if they detect the sweet or bitter when sprayed into the hood. Believe it or not, some will not tell the truth and forsake their own health because they need a pass on the test to ensure they can keep their jobs because they need the financial rewards of that job just that bad. Desperation plays a serious and large roll in what some people will endure. 
2. Studies conducted by the National Library of Medicine have shown that 35% of the population are unable to detect saccharin and Bitrex produced a Alpha error (the chance of failing a fit test in error) 71% of the time.

 

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