Potential Role of Infrared Imaging for Detecting Facial Seal Leaks in Filtering Facepiece Respirator Users.

Infrared imaging (IRI) can detect airflow through and near respirator masks based upon temperature differences between ambient and exhaled air. This study investigated the potential usefulness of IRI for detecting leaks and providing insight into the sites and significance of leaks. Subjects (n = 16...

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Published in:Journal of Occupational & Environmental Hygiene Vol. 12; no. 6; pp. 369 - 376
Main Authors: Harber, Philip, Su, Jing, Badilla, Alejandro D., Rahimian, Rombod, Lansey, Kirsten R.
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Jun2015
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2015
      vid: 12
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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        atl: Potential Role of Infrared Imaging for Detecting Facial Seal Leaks in Filtering Facepiece Respirator Users.
      aug:
        au:
          Harber, Philip
          Su, Jing
          Badilla, Alejandro D.
          Rahimian, Rombod
          Lansey, Kirsten R.
        affil: Community, Environment, and Policy Division, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
      sug:
        subj:
          Spectrophotometry, Infrared
          Equipment and Supplies
          Equipment Failure Evaluation
          Respiration Physiology
          Environment
          Hygiene
          Academic Medical Centers
          Arizona
          Chi Square Test
          Data Analysis Software
          Patient Selection
          Human
          Descriptive Statistics
          Male
          Female
          Male
          Female
      ab: Infrared imaging (IRI) can detect airflow through and near respirator masks based upon temperature differences between ambient and exhaled air. This study investigated the potential usefulness of IRI for detecting leaks and providing insight into the sites and significance of leaks. Subjects (n = 165) used filtering facepiece N95 respirators (N95 FFR) in the course of a research study concerning training modalities. Short sequence video infrared images were obtained during use and with intentionally introduced facial seal leaks. Fit factor (FF) was measured with condensation nuclei count methods. IRI detected leaks were scored on a four-point scale and summarized as the Total Leak Score (TLS) over six coding regions and the presence or absence of a “Big Leak” (BL) in any location. A semi-automated interpretation algorithm was also developed. IRI detected leaks are particularly common in the nasal region, but these are of limited significance. IR imaging could effectively identify many large leaks. The TLS was related to FF. Although IRI scores were related to FF, the relationship is insufficiently close for IRI to substitute for quantitative fit-testing. Using FFRs infrared techniques have potential for identifying situations with very inadequate respiratory protection.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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