221 - Respiratory protection: A lot has changed in the last 50 years!

Session Description: This session will provide an update to the changing landscape of respirator use. Occupational health clinicians need to understand how and why respirator medical evaluations should be performed in the current era. Using a case-based interactive format, the presenters will engage session participants to share factual information and discuss potentially controversial issues. Topics will include: 1) Are medical evaluations necessary for filtering facepiece and PAPR devices? 2) Which workplace characteristics, respirator designs, and user characteristics are most important to consider? How should dermatologic, psychologic, and musculoskeletal factors be evaluated? 3) How can the medical questionnaire required by the OSHA respiratory protection standard be improved? 4) 4) When should the general public use respirators for protection, and how can medical suitability be assured for children and vulnerable members of the public? 5? What competencies are needed for evaluators in a tiered system evaluating high-risk complex cases versus simple routine assessments?

Educational Gaps: 1. Understand state-of-the-art approaches to optimizing medical evaluation for respirator program design and approaches relevant to specific exposure and health scenarios including those in the community.

2. Insights about the deficiencies of the standard OSHA Respirator Questionnaire and alternatives.

3. Structure public health programs for respiratory protection outside traditional workplaces.

Is this session being sponsored by an ACOEM Section or Component?: No

Has this session previously been presented?: No

The AOHC 2026 theme is Healthy workers. Healthy world: Occupational physicians may utilize their workplace experience to inform the rational use of respirators by the general public, individuals at high risk, and during major natural or anthropogenic disasters. Mandated respiratory evaluations provide opportunities for interacting with workers to improve overall health