10 FAQ on Respirators Masks Fit Testing

10 FAQ on Respirators Masks Fit Testing

10 FAQ on Respirators Masks Fit Testing

These are the 10 FAQ on Respirators Masks Fit Testing asked over the past several months during COVID-19. I have been asked as a professional respirator fit tester with over 2000 people protected in early 2020 alone, hundreds of questions. I choose these 10, however if there's other questions people wish to know an answer to, just ask.  Here are the top 10 FAQ on Respirators Masks Fit Testing.

 

1. How much does fit testing cost?

If a person or company is local to the Fit Tester, individual test can cost between $35.00 to $50.00 per person per respirator. However, if a company or a group of people are all in one location (COVID-19 laws applying) special discounts can be arranged. 

  

2. Can anyone do a fit test?

Yes, providing that person has the proper required training, knowledge of the appropriate Safety Regulations, Standards, and /or any other legislative laws for their geographical area. These must be followed them to the letter. In addition, they must have the proper equipment, and administrational capabilities to issue a passing card for the one being tested and a properly formatted pre fit test safety orientation forms.  

 

3. Can I do my own fit test?

It is not advised for a person to conduct their own respirator fit test. For the reasons of impartiality, ethical standards, and detachment. Even a fit testing professional should have another FTP conduct their fit test.

 

4.  How do you get fit tested for a n95 mask?

If you require a fit tested for an N95 respirator, and you are working for a company or at a location that requires it, consult your safety representative at location or your company. Or you can contact a Respirator Fit Testing company or Professional in your area. Googling “Respirator Fit Testing” is the easiest way to find a professional in your area.

 

5. How long does a fit test take?

Depending on the nature of your work that requires a respirator and taking into account any COVID-19 related information, a Qualitative Respirator Fit Test (QLFT) and following the CSA Standards Z94.4-02 instructional orientation, it can take upwards of 30 to 45 minutes.

 

6. How often should you be fit tested for a respirator?

In British Columbia Canada, a fit test must be conducted before initial use of a respirator. After which, the maximum length of time between fit test is 1 year. However, in that year you’ll need to be retested if you change respirators to anything other then the exact match to that you are using (size, brand & model), or if your facial structure changes (weight gain or lose, injury causing scars etc. where your mask seal is on your face), (Worksafe BC REG. 4.40(2.1)(a-c).

 

7. What does N95 mean?

N95

The letters and numbers are to identify the HEPA filter rating of the respirator. For example, what most people identify as a N95 has nothing to do with the mask it self. The "N" stands for Non-Oil Proof" and the "95" lets you know the HEPA filter filtration will capture 95% of the particulates in the air that are .3 microns and bigger.

P100

Another example is P100. The "P" stands for Oil Proof, where the 100 references that this HEPA filter will capture 99.97% of the particulates in the air that are .3 microns and bigger. Another letter rating is "R" which mean Oil Resistant. these ratings are regulated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or NIOSH. All reputable respirator are identified by a brand and a model name or number.   

 

8. Which is better an N95 or a KN95 cloth respirator?

Counterfeit

Since COVID-19 has come to Canada, there has been a magnitude of new cloth respirators with the HEPA filter rating of KN95. The “K” means it was manufactured in China. As reported by the CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of these KN95 are “are counterfeit (fake) and DO NOT meet NIOSH requirements”. With that being said, the N95 cloth respirator is a much wiser choice over the KN95.

Ear loops

Furthermore, most KN95 cloth respirators use thin elastic straps that are meant to loop around a person’s ear (ear loops) to secure the respirator to a person’s face. These do not adequately perform the task required of them in creating a face seal. This is caused by a lack of pressure needed to produce such a seal. The N95 such as the 3M 8210 cloth respirator has thicker more resilient straps that are positioned around the back of the head creating the necessary pressure to the wearers face for a sealed respirator.  

 

9. What’s the Difference between a Mask and a Respirator?  

The main difference between a Mask and a Respirator is the same as the difference between night and day. One protects the wearer, the other is suppose to protect others from the one who wears it. 

Masks

A Mask weather it be a surgical or vanity style cloth type are designed to stop the aerosols that are projected out of a person’s mouth when they talk or breath. Most if not all mask will not prevent the aerosols from a cough or sneeze. The shear volume and force of these two bodily functions for the most part will overwhelm the intended use of these devices and bodily fluids will escape either/ or through the mask itself or through the gaps around most masks.    

Respirators

A Respirator is designed to protect the person who wears it from harmful substances in the atmosphere where that person happens to be working. This is providing the proper HEPA filters are used as well. However, when that person exhales, there is nothing preventing any aerosols from being expelled into the immediate area. The exhaust port of a respirator is only a thin rubber membrane that act like a one-way check valve.

10. Is it healthy to wear a mask all day long

The short answer is NO. It is NOT healthy for a person to wear a mask for large extended periods of time. This is especially true for those with already compromised health issues in the respiratory system.  

Carbon Dioxide/ CO2

There are a lot of articles, opinions on this subject alone and numbers being thrown around. These are the facts. Wearing a mask all day or even for 4 to 5 hours consistently causes the individual to rebreathe in their expelled air. Air trapped inside of the masked area around the mouth contains basically carbon dioxide, CO2. Over a period of time, this carbon dioxide is increased in our body and causes a number of medical issues.

Results of Excessive CO2 

There is a great controversy over the amount CO2 that gets trapped, in addition to how much a person retakes back into their system. What isn’t looked at is the person's activity at the time and their general health. Amounts of 2000 to 5000 ppm of CO2 (depending on a person’s health) will cause headaches, fatigue, a lack of attention and some other issues. A worker could be labelled as impaired at this point.  

 

Other Answered Questions about Respirators and Fit Tests

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