What kind of test occurs when a worker exhales into a closed respirator inlet for 10 minutes?

The correct answer is a positive pressure test. This type of test is designed to determine if a respirator maintains a tight seal on the worker's face, ensuring that no contaminants can enter through leaks. During a positive pressure test, the worker exhales into the closed respirator inlet, which will cause pressure to build up inside the respirator. If the respirator is properly sealed and functioning correctly, the pressure will be maintained, and no air will escape through the edges of the mask.

This test is essential for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the respirator, especially in environments where hazardous substances, like asbestos, are present. It confirms that the respirator is properly fitted and that the worker will be protected from inhaling harmful airborne particles.

A fit test, while relevant for verifying that a respirator fits correctly on an individual, is a different process involving measuring the air that leaks into the respirator. A negative pressure test involves sealing off the respirator's exhalation valve and inhaling to see if there is an inward leak but does not involve the specific action of exhaling into the inlet. A seal check is often conducted by exhaling gently to check for leaks but does not measure pressure buildup like a positive pressure test does.