Citation:

Chen, H., E. Pennington, M. Case, H. Tong, A. Rappold, J. Samet, AND S. Prince. Improvement in Fitted Filtration Efficiency of N95 Respirators with Escalating Instruction of the Wearer. AJPM Focus. Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1(1):1-5, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focus.2022.100014

Impact/Purpose:

The results of this study suggest that members of the general public can achieve optimally protective levels of N95 respirator performance using video tutorial training. The findings of this study bear great public health significance especially when members of the public have more access to N95 respirators and are encouraged to use them during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Description:

Disposable N95 respirators represent a primary intervention to protect against inhalational exposures, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus, wildland fire smoke, and other air quality emergencies. However, studies have raised doubts over whether an untrained person can properly don an N95 respirator. This sub-products is to determine the amount of instruction necessary to achieve optimal protection, we measured the fitted filtration efficiency (FFE) of an N95 respirator worn by participants at baseline and after receiving escalating levels of instructions, including manufacturer manual, video and staff intervention. Results indicate that participants’ FFE improved, progressing from baseline (average = 86.1%) to paper instructions (93.3%), video instructions (97.5%), and post staff intervention (98.3%). Our study findings suggest that members of the general public can achieve optimally protective levels of N95 respirator performance using a video tutorial training.    

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