Inward Leakage
If the mask leaks — nothing else matters
The Fitseal™ is the FIRST AND ONLY ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL strapless respirator that has passed the NIOSH fit test for inward leakage as part of respirator certification.
Leading aerosol scientists have shown that an assigned protection level which is derived solely from testing the filter material may be misleading as it does not take into account fit and the leakage of harmful airborne particles between the respirator and the face (face-seal leakage).
Dr. Sergey Grinshpun, Director of the University of Cincinnati Center for Health Related Aerosol Studies has stated, “for filtering face piece respirators or surgical masks, particle penetration through face-seal leakage may exceed 10 times the particle penetration than through the filter media itself.” In other words, 10 times more disease causing particles may enter the lungs through an inadequate face-seal than through the respirator itself.
Currently, NIOSH certifies the filter material only. Recognizing the importance of face-seal leakage, NIOSH is moving forward on plans to include Inwar Leakage testing as part of respirator certification.
Conventional respirator design allows harmful airborne particles to bypass the filter element.
Fitseal Adhesion-Technology minimizes inhalation of harmful airborne particles.
Our breakthrough design and filtration technology allowed Fitseal respirator to be the first and only respirator to pass the NIOSH test for inward leakage and face-seal integrity.
“Respirators that don’t seal properly around the face offer only the illusion of protection” (OSHA Technical Manual, Sec. VIII)
