Wearing Comfort of Disposable Respirators: Experimental Analysis of Structural Properties and Physiological Indexes.

Abstract

Objective: To establish an evidence-based respirator selection framework mitigating occupational pneumoconiosis risks caused by poor compliance due to discomfort.

Methods: This study assessed wearing comfort via two experiments on structural performance and physiological indicators. Participants wore different respirators and performed tasks (sitting/low-intensity vs. simulated occupational task/medium-intensity) while parameters were measured. XGBoost-SHAP analysis method was used to identify key comfort determinants.

Results: The wearing comfort was co-regulated by multiple factors in low-intensity task, with expiratory resistance most critically influenced heart rate, inspiratory resistance dominated facial temperature. Expiratory resistance became the decisive burden predictor in medium-intensity task. The valved models (9501 V+/9502 V+) minimized physiological strain, with the earband type performing better.

Conclusion: This SHAP-based ergonomic tool enables protocolized respirator deployment by activity intensity, reducing work-related respiratory disease risks through clinically actionable safety guidelines.