Feasibility of replacing homemade solutions by commercial products for qualitative fit testing of particulate respirators: a mixed effect logistic regression study

Qualitative fit testing is mandatory for tight-fitting respirators to ensure that the wearer fitted properly before entering a contaminated workplace. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the homemade solutions as substitution of commercial products for qualitative fit testing of particulate respirators. Two homemade solutions of Bitrex™ and saccharin were made according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.134. Threshold Screening Tests (TSTs) of commercial solutions, as well as homemade ones, were conducted on 62 participants in a random order. A placebo was also tested to assure the participants could distinguish its flavorless from other taste of solutions. There were no statistically significant differences between the commercial and homemade solutions representing that participants detected the bitter taste of the Bitrex™ and sweet taste of the saccharin solutions (96.8% vs. 91.9% and 93.5% vs. 83.9%, respectively). Homemade solutions that were stable and haven’t been contained microbial contaminations, could be substituted for commercial products in qualitative fit testing of filtering face-piece respirators (FFRs). Overall, this protocol presents a practical and cost-benefit technique to assess the fit testing of FFRs.