N95 filtering facepiece respirator fit test performance for the general population attending Minnesota State Fair 2021 and 2022

This study aimed to investigate the performance of the general population passing quantitative fit tests for one type of N95 respirator (3M Aura Respirator 9205+) and consider the role of gender, age, race/ethnicity, and facial hair in the fit testing pass rate.

The data was collected using a demographic questionnaire from the general population attending the Minnesota state fair 2021 and 2022. Demographic information included age (in years), gender, race/ethnicity, and facial hair (yes/no and type). Each participant also performed quantitative fit testing of N95 respirators (3M Aura Respirator 9205+) using a TSI PortaCount Pro+ model 8038. Fit testing was conducted according to the quantitative OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 standard protocol with a criterion of ≥100 for pass level fit factor.