What is the purpose of a respirator fit check?

• A. To make sure it has a tight fitting seal with no leakage each time the respirator is used
• B. To select the right size respirator for the user
• C. To measure the respirator fit by comparing the pesticides in the surrounding air with the pesticides inside the respirator
• D. To see if there is a chemical taste or smell leaking into the mask

Answer: (A)

A respirator fit check is about confirming a tight seal against the face so contaminants can’t bypass the filter. Before use, you verify that the mask fits snugly and there are no gaps. You do a quick check by performing positive and negative pressure tests: exhaling gently against the face while holding the mask to feel for leaks, and then inhaling to see if the facepiece collapses slightly without letting air in where it shouldn’t. If you detect leaks, you adjust the straps, reposition the mask, or try a different size or model and re-check until you achieve a good seal. This is not about choosing a size in the moment, measuring pesticide levels in the air, or detecting taste or smell, which aren’t reliable indicators of a proper seal.