Performance of a novel real-time respirator seal integrity monitor on firefighters: Simulated workplace pilot study
Performance of a novel real-time respirator seal integrity monitor on firefighters: Simulated workplace pilot study
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DOI：
10.1080/15459624.2018.1479065
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发表时间：
2018-01-01
影响因子：
2
通讯作者：
Grinshpun, Sergey A.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Leppanen, Maija;Wu, Bingbing;Grinshpun, Sergey A.
包括消防员在内的数百万工人使用呼吸保护装置。确保呼吸器达到预期防护水平的关键因素是其贴合性。然而，即使呼吸器最初贴合良好，面封也可能在其使用期间破裂。到目前为止，还没有实际可行的、廉价的手段来监测呼吸器在实际使用期间的性能。我们的团队开发了一种新型呼吸器密封完整性监测器（ReSIM），最近在人体模型上进行了评估。本研究的目的是评估ReSIM对穿着灭火器的消防员在进行模拟日常操作活动时暴露于气溶胶的有效性。最初，招募了15名受试者进行研究。在对ReSIM原型和测试协议进行了初步调查后，选择了9名消防员进行全面评估。试验在24.3-m（3）暴露室中进行，使用NaCl作为挑战气雾剂。通过打开电磁阀10、15或20秒来建立受控的面密封泄漏。泄漏也被确定为测试消防员稍微重新定位呼吸器在他/她的脸上。在测试过程中，ReSIM以72.7%的泄漏检测灵敏度（正确识别泄漏的概率）和84.2%的特异性（正确识别不存在任何泄漏的间隔的概率）测量了全面式弹性呼吸器内的颗粒。在调整假阴性和持续假阳性后，灵敏度和特异性分别增加到83.6%和92.2%。造成泄漏检测灵敏度和特异性的微小限制的因素可归因于受试者之间的变异性、水分对颗粒传感器的影响以及一些面罩内采样偏差。总之，ReSIM可以以高灵敏度和特异性迅速检测呼吸器面封中的破裂。由于其能够提醒佩戴者可能过度暴露于有害气溶胶，ReSIM概念具有显著的潜力，可应用于各种工作环境中，其中使用了加湿器。
Millions of workers, including firefighters, use respiratory protective device. The key aspect in assuring the intended protection level of a respirator is its fit. However, even if the respirator originally fits well, the faceseal may be breached during its use. Until now, there have been no practically viable, inexpensive means to monitor the performance of a respirator during actual use. A novel Respirator Seal Integrity Monitor (ReSIM) was developed and recently evaluated on manikins by our team. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ReSIM effectiveness on respirator-wearing firefighters exposed to aerosols while performing simulated routine operational activities. Initially, 15 subjects were recruited for the study. Following a preliminary investigation that resulted in modifications in the ReSIM prototype and testing protocol, a subset of nine firefighters was chosen for a full-scale evaluation. The testing was conducted in a 24.3-m(3) exposure chamber using NaCl as the challenge aerosol. Controlled faceseal leaks were established by opening a solenoid valve for 10, 15, or 20sec. Leaks were also established as the tested firefighter slightly repositioned the respirator on his/her face. During the testing, the ReSIM measured particles inside a full-face elastomeric respirator with a 72.7% leak detection sensitivity (probability of correct leak identification) and an 84.2% specificity (probability of correct identification of the intervals which are absent of any leak). After adjusting for false negatives and persistent false positives, sensitivity and specificity increased to 83.6% and 92.2%, respectively. The factors causing minor limitations in leak detection sensitivity and specificity can be attributed to variability among subjects, moisture's effect on the particle sensor, and some in-mask sampling bias. In conclusion, the ReSIM can promptly detect the breach in a respirator faceseal with high sensitivity and specificity. Due to its capability to alert the wearer of possible overexposure to hazardous aerosols, the ReSIM concept has a remarkable potential to be applied in various working environments, where respirators are used.