Comparison of facemask characteristics with user assessment of comfort

An estimated five million workers are required to wear respirators in over one million workplaces in the United States. Occupational respiratory diseases are strongly correlated to causative agents. Wearing a dust mask has the potential to reduce worker exposures to an acceptable concentration. Many brands dust masks are available with various designs and sizes. Studies have indicated that dust mask use is often low in many industries. Comfort is a factor that workers use both directly and indirectly to decide if they will wear a dust mask. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ten N95 FFRs to determine their physical properties. Physical properties were compared to the perceived comfort ratings given by study participants to determine the strength of the associations. Six FFRs were evaluated using qualitative surveys (n=50).

This study evaluated ten dust masks to determine their physical properties. Physical properties were then compared to the perceived comfort ratings given by participants (n=50) for six of the dust masks. Physical properties of dust masks that were evaluated include: breathability, pressure drop, surface area, and weight. Physical properties varied between dust masks. Fit was found to be the most important in terms of discomfort followed by temperature, and ease of breathing. However, participants’ rankings of fit, temperature, and ease of breathing were not strongly related to a physical property. In general, the differences in physical properties between dust masks were too small for participants to perceive. This also may be influenced by the trial durations and sedentary activity level.