Alternative Qualitative Fit Testing Method for N95 Equivalent Respirators in the Setting of Resource Scarcity at the George Washington University

Destie Provenzano; Yuan James Rao; Konstantin Mitic; Sofian N Obaid; Jeffrey Berger; Sharad Goyal; Murray H Loew

The fit test involves a sensitivity screening following by a mask fit testing with aerosolized solution as defined by the four parameters above. The sensitivity screening involves placing the subject under a hood without a respirator and aerosolizing one of the four qualitative substances. The subject is asked if they can smell the bananas for Isoamyl acetate, taste the sweet taste for Saccharin, bitter taste for Bitrix, or cough for the smoke. If the fit is positive the subject then puts on the mask and is routinely aerosolized within the hood. While the subject is wearing the mask, they are then instructed to test several conditions including: a) normal breathing b) deep breathing c) turning head side to side d) moving head up and down e) reciting a passage f) jogging in place and e) normal breathing. The test is finished and considered successful if the subject can not taste or smell the substance under any of the aforementioned conditions. If at any point the subject can sense the substance, the test is failed and the fit is judged to be inadequate.