Tuberculosis prevention and control: the particulate respirator controversy.

1. Increasing numbers of new cases of tuberculosis have been reported each year since 1984/1985. It is estimated that from 1985 through 1992 there were over 50,000 cases in excess of projections. Many of these outbreaks have been caused by strains of multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 2. The wearing of a particulate respirator [PR] may provide additional protection because of the tighter facial fit and better filtration capability as compared with a standard surgical mask. 3. The only type of PR certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and approved for use by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to have filtration efficiency for particles as small as 1 microns are high-efficiency particulate air respirators, which are expensive and can be intimidating to patients.