Volume 13, Number 5—May 2007
Research
Respirator Donning in Post-Hurricane New Orleans
Kristin J. Cummings*†
, Jean Cox-Ganser*, Margaret A. Riggs†‡, Nicole Edwards*, and Kathleen Kreiss*
, Jean Cox-Ganser*, Margaret A. Riggs†‡, Nicole Edwards*, and Kathleen Kreiss*
Table 1
Characteristics of Orleans Parish participants, March 2006*
| Characteristic | Values |
|---|---|
| Age in y, median, range (N = 547) |
50, 18–89 |
| Male, n/N (%) |
292/553 (53) |
| Hispanic, n/N (%) |
21/548 (4) |
| Race, n/N (%)† |
|
| Caucasian |
241/548 (44) |
| African-American or black |
296/548 (54) |
| Asian |
20/548 (4) |
| American Indian or Alaska Native |
21/548 (4) |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander |
5/548 (1) |
| Relationship to home, n/N (%)‡ |
|
| Owner |
415/553 (75) |
| Renter |
80/553 (14) |
| Other (includes relatives, friends, other associates) |
58/553 (10) |
| Smoking status, n/N (%) |
|
| Current |
127/551 (23) |
| Former |
123/551 (22) |
| Never |
301/551 (55) |
| Physician-diagnosed asthma, n/N (%) |
68/553 (12) |
| Flood level in feet,‡ median, range (N = 527) |
4, 0–18 |
| Water entry due to roof or window damage,‡ n/N (%) |
300/547 (55) |
| Mold extent,‡ n/N (%) |
|
| None |
143/550 (26) |
| <50% of walls and ceilings |
213/550 (39) |
| ≥50% of walls and ceilings |
179/550 (33) |
| Do not know |
15/550 (3) |
| Employed in mold remediation, n/N (%) |
45/553 (8) |
| Ever used mask or respirator, n/N (%) |
439/553 (79) |
| Ever had respirator fit test,§ n/N (%) |
80/543 (15) |
| Activities in water-damaged/moldy home since Katrina |
|
| Been inside, n/N (%) |
467/551 (85) |
| Participated in clean-up, n/N (%) |
372/551 (68) |
| No. of homes cleaned (N = 368), median, range |
2, 1–50 |
| No. with mold extent ≥50% (N = 367), median, range |
1, 0–25 |
| Still participating in clean-up activities, n/N (%) | 183/358 (51) |
*Data for some characteristics were missing for some participants.
†Participants could select >1 racial category; total >100%.
‡Home at which participant was encountered and interviewed.
§“Fit test” was defined in the questionnaire as “a test in which a technician measures how well the respirator fits your face during
activities such as talking and moving your head. It could involve smelling smoke, tasting something sweet or bitter, or a special
machine that counts particles.”
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Page updated: June 23, 2010
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