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?

What masks do employees wear?

How is mask-fit testing conducted?

How are masks cleaned?

Additional Resources


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.

 

Respiratory Therapist conducts mask fit testing with a negative pressure test
Negative Pressure Test

 

Respiratory Therapist conducts mask fit testing with a negative pressure test
Positive Pressure Test

 

Respiratory Therapist conducts a qualitative fit test for a mask
Qualitative Fit Test

 

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 

View OSHA cleaning procedures

Additional Resources