Comparing Quality of Fitting of Different Filtering Face Pieces in a Healthcare Worker: A preliminary observational study

Abstract

A quantitative fit test was performed in a healthy adult who wore four different types of mask to assess the quality of fitting for respiratory protection. The results of portacount tests based on OSHA modified Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) protocol showed surgical mask, double surgical mask, and N95 mask did not meet the good fit factor of minimum criteria. Surprisingly, stick-on mask Lekad emerged as an excellent filtering face piece with fit factor exceeding 200 and served to be a promising respiratory protection face piece in the future. However, more research is required to examine its properties in term of filtration efficiency, environment contamination protection, aerosol penetration, comfort and other quality characteristics in comparison to the existing filtering face pieces available in the market.