What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. It is used as a substitute for morphine at low therapeutic doses to manage severe pain. Unfortunately, Fentanyl is also produced illegally. These illegal operations mix fentanyl with street drugs like heroin and cocaine as well as counterfeit pain pills. Users of these counterfeit pills and street drugs often have no idea fentanyl has been added.Fentanyl is very potent
Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. This means the toxic dose that can cause death is very small. In fact the estimated toxic dose is only 2 to 3 milligrams, which is comparable to a few grains of table salt. The extreme potency, combined with lack of quality control used by illegal drug manufacturers, has led to a high drug overdose rate.
Emergency Responder Concerns
Medical and law enforcement emergency responders are at an increasing risk of exposure to fentanyl. Accidental 
exposure resulting from medical responders coming into contact with trace amounts of fentanyl on an overdose victim’s clothing has been often documented. Law enforcement responders have been exposed to fentanyl when executing search warrants and apprehending suspects associated with illegal drug use.
Routes of Exposure
Exposure to Fentanyl can occur through inhalation, skin absorption, and contact with eyes and mucous membrane. Inhalation can occur when fentanyl is in fine powder form and has been stirred up into the air. Skin absorption can occur by accidently touching a surface with trace amounts of fentanyl. Mucous membrane exposure can occur when someone touches their mouth with fentanyl contamination on their hands.
Fentanyl Safety Guidelines
Guidelines have been established by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to help protect emergency responders from the harmful effects of fentanyl exposure. These guidelines are clear. Proper PPE including gloves and respirators, must be used to protect against fentanyl exposure.
First Responders and Accidental Exposure
As the number of calls involving opioid overdoses and suspected drug labs increases, so does the risk of accidental exposure and overdose to first responders. To prevent this, first responders should wear respiratory protection such as an elastomeric mask and other personal protective equipment. Respirators must be fit tested to ensure they provide adequate protection.
Respirator Fit Testing
To respond to the increasing instances of accidental Fentanyl exposure, provide staff with a respirator fit test they can both learn from and trust. PortaCount™ Fit Testers deliver safety by utilizing the most accurate quantitative fit testing method available to identify poor fitting masks.* Combining real-time and real-world measurements, PortaCount™ Fit Testers advance respirator safety beyond what any other fit test can deliver.New features like FitCheck Mode™ and in-test animations allow users to achieve a proper respirator fit quickly and teach staff how to wear respirators correctly for reliable on-the-job protection. With the ability to test any respirator, the PortaCount™ Fit Tester is the most powerful instrument available to meet the safety challenges posed by Fentanyl and the increased chance of accidental exposure for emergency responders.
*Coffey C.C, D.L. Campbell, W.R. Myers, and Z. Zhuang: Comparison of Six Respirator Fit Test Methods with an Actual Measurement of Exposure in a Simulated HealthCare Environment: Part II – Method Comparison Testing. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc J.
59:862-870 (1998)