Respirator Fit Test Comparison: Quantitative versus Qualitative Methods

Watch our latest video featuring a comparison between qualitative and quantitative fit testing.

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Many respiratory protection programs still use qualitative methods to fit test respirators like N95s for employees. If you’ve taken a qualitative fit test, you’ll know that using this manual fit testing method is time-consuming and cumbersome.

Limitations of qualitative fit test methods

Beyond the difficulties of conducting a qualitative fit test, the pass or fail test result relies solely on the respirator wearer’s senses and self-reported feedback. These subjective results can leave program managers and respirator wearers less than confident in their fit and resulting protection.

New video compares qualitative and quantitative fit test methods from start to finish

In this video, we compare quantitative and qualitative respirator fit testing methods as described by OSHA. The comparison reveals exactly how quantitative methods with the PortaCount® Respirator Fit Tester facilitate more accurate fit tests—in less time.

In this new 7.5-minute video, you will:

• Watch a complete respirator fit test comparison between the two methods, from the initial pre-test steps through a completion of the fit tests.
• See how quickly and simply the PortaCount® Fit Tester completes a quantitative test using recently accepted OSHA protocol modifications, only available on Condensation Nuclei Counter (CNC) instruments.
• Learn how PortaCount® instruments enable you to confirm (with data) that employees have been provided the right respirator, that they know how to wear them, and that their respirators fit with certainty.

Watch Respirator Fit Test Comparison: Quantitative versus Qualitative methods

Additional resources

• Find out more about why quantitative respirator fit testing beats qualitative
• Explore PortaCount® Respirator Fit Tester products.