Present Circumstances and Issues of Qualitative and Quantitative Fit Test Results Using Dust Masks Based on Industrial Safety and Health Act

Abstract

In Japan, Industrial Safety and Health Act was indicated, when it is difficult to control the environment and suppress the release of chemical substances, it could reduce exposure to chemical substances by having workers perform fit test and confirming that they are wearing the masks properly. This study was conducting two types, qualitative and quantitative, of fit test and obtained 105 subject’s data. There were 4 subjects who had experienced the fit test in the past, so it was thought that fit test was no common. Furthermore, the results of two types tests showed that first movements had indicated a high number of failures (8 and 84 subjects respectively), this was suggested the importance to instruct how to properly wear mask before doing fit test.