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Volume 13, Number 5—May 2007
Research

Respirator Donning in Post-Hurricane New Orleans

Kristin J. Cummings*†Comments to Author , Jean Cox-Ganser*, Margaret A. Riggs†‡, Nicole Edwards*, and Kathleen Kreiss*
Author affiliations: *National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; †Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence Service, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; ‡National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;

Main Article

Table 3

Errors observed among Orleans Parish participants donning disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators, March 2006

Error n (%)*
Nose clip not tightened
303 (71)
Both straps used, but straps incorrectly placed
221 (52)
Visible gap between respirator and skin†
136 (32)
Respirator donned upside down
94 (22)
Only 1 of 2 straps used
91 (21)
Facial hair†
48 (11)
Respirator donned sideways or tilted
11 (3)
Other‡ 5 (1)

*N = 427; 433 participants were noted to have at least 1 donning error; for 427 participants, the nature of the error(s) was
documented.
†Among those participants with only 1 observed donning error, 6 had a visible gap between the respirator and skin, and 18 had facial
hair. These 24 participants are included in calculations of frequencies of donning errors. For analyses of factors associated with
proper donning, they were considered to have properly donned the respirator.
‡The “other” category was used for 2 participants who were noted to be unable to put on the respirator and for 1 participant who did
not use either of the 2 straps. For 2 other participants, the “other” category was indicated, but the interviewer did not further specify
the nature of the errors.

Main Article

Page created: June 23, 2010
Page updated: June 23, 2010
Page reviewed: June 23, 2010
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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