Respiratory Protection FAQs
The Texas Center for Infectious Disease (TCID) protects the health of its employees who may come in contact with harmful air contaminants through the administration of a respiratory protection program. Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions about the respiratory protection program at TCID.
How does TCID evaluate an employee’s ability to use a respirator?
How is mask-fit testing conducted?
How does TCID evaluate an employee’s ability to use a respirator?
TCID performs a medical evaluation using a medical questionnaire.
View the Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (DOC)
What masks do employees wear?
The masks that are worn at TCID are North 7700 half-mask elastomeric respirators with P-100 filters.
View the North 7700 Respirator Manual (PDF 518kb)
How is mask-fit testing conducted?
TCID conducts negative pressure, positive pressure, and qualitative fit testing as shown below.
With qualitative fit testing, a smoke irritant (Stannic Chloride smoke tubes) is used to detect a leak in the respirator. Once the mask is secured properly, the employee conducts a series of 1-minute breathing exercises including:
- Normal breathing
- Taking deep breaths in
- Moving their head up and down
- Moving their side to side
- Counting out loud
Inhalation of the relatively low-concentration smoke irritant will cause irritation to the upper respiratory tract and eyes and will produce a cough, which detects that there is a leak present.
How are masks cleaned?
TCID cleans its elastomeric respirators thoroughly with a 70% alcohol-based wipe and follows OSHA guidelines for cleaning.
For contact isolation patients, TCID uses an Aqueous Iodine Solution Mixture of 1 Liter of Sterile Water and 0.8 Milliliters of Tincture Iodine.
View our manufacturer’s guidelines