AOHC Encore 2023-208 Part I - Respirators: Principles of Medical Evaluation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Good morning and welcome to a session on respiratory protection. The session features multiple speakers who will provide different perspectives on dealing with the important aspects of respiratory protection. The first speaker, Dr. Beckett, will discuss the pulmonary and cardiac effects of respiratory protection. This will be followed by a discussion from the second speaker, who will cover other effects such as subjective symptoms, heat, and work impact. Ganesha Pollard, the research branch chief at NIOSH for personal protection and the National Personal Protection Laboratory, will then discuss the research conducted at NIOSH and the exciting developments in the field. The first hour of the session will focus on the scientific basis and principles of respiratory protection, while the second hour will provide practical guidance on the application of the science to specific conditions. This will include an overview of the regulatory setting by Bob McClellan, a discussion of dermatologic conditions by Dr. LeBeau, psychological conditions by Dr. Scarry, pulmonary asthma by Dr. McClellan, and conditions requiring special insight by Dr. Berman. The session will conclude with a question and answer session. The speakers will highlight the key physiological loads of respirators, including pulmonary, cardiovascular, and thermal effects. They will address the common symptoms experienced by users and the impact of respirator use on work activities. The discussion will also touch on the challenges faced in implementing elastomeric half-mass respirators in healthcare settings and ongoing research to address these challenges. Additionally, the speakers will discuss the importance of equity in personal protective equipment (PPE) provisions and ongoing efforts to develop solutions to support equitable PPE protections for all individuals.

Keywords

respiratory protection

pulmonary effects

cardiac effects

subjective symptoms

NIOSH

scientific basis

dermatologic conditions

equity

personal protective equipment