Performance of two respiratory protective devices used by home-attending health care workers (a pilot study)

Elmashae, Yousef; Grinshpun, Sergey A.; Reponen, Tiina; Yermakov, Michael; Riddle, R.A.J.

doi:10.1080/15459624.2017.1319571

Cited by 11 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…As reported by Elmashae and coworkers (Elmashae et al 2017), which tested different filter materials accordingly to identify airborne bacterial cells, our results showed similar detection rates with all tested filter materials. It has to be mentioned, that pore sizes of the different membrane filter discs tested in the bioaerosol chamber were not identical, but a similar size range (Versapor 1.2 µm pore size; Cellulose Nitrate and Polycarbonate 0.8 µm pore sizes).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Development and Validation of a Simple Bioaerosol Collection Filter System Using a Conventional Vacuum Cleaner for Sampling

Unterwurzacher

Bruck²,

Biedermann

et al. 2021

Aerosol Sci Eng

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Although numerous bioaerosol samplers for counting and identifying airborne microorganisms are available, the considerably high purchase and maintenance costs for the sampler often prevent broad monitoring campaigns for occupational or environmental surveillance of bioaerosols. We present here a newly developed simple adapter and filter system (TOP filter system) designed to collect bioaerosol particles from a defined air volume using conventional vacuum cleaners as air pumps. We characterized the physical properties of the system using air flow measurements and validated the biological performance. The culture-based detection capacities for airborne fungal species were compared to a standard impaction sampler (MAS-100 NT) under controlled conditions in a bioaerosol chamber (using Trichoderma spores as the test organism) as well as in the field. In the chamber, an overall equivalent detection capacity between all tested filters was recorded, although a significant underrepresentation of the TOP filter system for Trichoderma spores were seen in comparison to the MAS-100 NT. In a comparative field study (n = 345), the system showed similar biological sampling efficiencies compared to the MAS-100 NT impactor, only the diversity of identified fungal communities was slightly lower on the filters. Thus, the system is suitable for large-scale environmental sampling operations where many samples have to be taken in parallel at a given time at distant locations. This system would allow endeavors such as antibiotics resistance monitoring or hygiene surveys in agricultural or occupational settings.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Development and Validation of a Simple Bioaerosol Collection Filter System Using a Conventional Vacuum Cleaner for Sampling

Unterwurzacher

Bruck²,

Biedermann

et al. 2021

Aerosol Sci Eng

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“…Modelling studies 122 , 123 , 124 and simulated workplace protection studies 125 , 126 , 127 in the USA have shown benefits of various types of respirators and little to no protection from surgical masks. A study in the UK found that surgical masks could reduce inert aerosol exposure by two times, but filtering facepiece respirators reduced the exposure by a factor of 100 or higher.…”

Section: Implications Of Infectious Aerosol Data For Infection Contromentioning

confidence: 99%

Particle sizes of infectious aerosols: implications for infection control

Fennelly

2020

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

546

523

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The global pandemic of COVID-19 has been associated with infections and deaths among health-care workers. This Viewpoint of infectious aerosols is intended to inform appropriate infection control measures to protect health-care workers. Studies of cough aerosols and of exhaled breath from patients with various respiratory infections have shown striking similarities in aerosol size distributions, with a predominance of pathogens in small particles (<5 μm). These are immediately respirable, suggesting the need for personal respiratory protection (respirators) for individuals in close proximity to patients with potentially virulent pathogens. There is no evidence that some pathogens are carried only in large droplets. Surgical masks might offer some respiratory protection from inhalation of infectious aerosols, but not as much as respirators. However, surgical masks worn by patients reduce exposures to infectious aerosols to health-care workers and other individuals. The variability of infectious aerosol production, with some so-called super-emitters producing much higher amounts of infectious aerosol than most, might help to explain the epidemiology of super-spreading. Airborne infection control measures are indicated for potentially lethal respiratory pathogens such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

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“…Laboratory/controlled settings In experimental settings, N95 respirators demonstrate efficient filtration of nanoparticles and bioaerosols. [6][7][8][9] When compared with surgical masks in this setting, N95 respirators provide superior protection against aerosols and viruses similar in size to influenza, especially when combined with eye protection. 6 8 10-12 In one study, layering of up to five surgical masks improved in vivo filtration efficiency, though fit factor scores using this strategy remain markedly inferior to the minimum required for N95 respirators (13.7 vs 100).…”

Section: Medical-grade Facial Protectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facial protection for healthcare workers during pandemics: a scoping review

et al. 2020

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BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, requiring mask reuse or improvisation. We provide a review of medical-grade facial protection (surgical masks, N95 respirators and face shields) for healthcare workers, the safety and efficacy of decontamination methods, and the utility of alternative strategies in emergency shortages or resource-scarce settings.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review of PubMed and grey literature related to facial protection and potential adaptation strategies in the setting of PPE shortages (January 2000 to March 2020). Limitations included few COVID-19-specific studies and exclusion of non-English language articles. We conducted a narrative synthesis of the evidence based on relevant healthcare settings to increase practical utility in decision-making.ResultsWe retrieved 5462 peer-reviewed articles and 41 grey literature records. In total, we included 67 records which met inclusion criteria. Compared with surgical masks, N95 respirators perform better in laboratory testing, may provide superior protection in inpatient settings and perform equivalently in outpatient settings. Surgical mask and N95 respirator conservation strategies include extended use, reuse or decontamination, but these strategies may result in inferior protection. Limited evidence suggests that reused and improvised masks should be used when medical-grade protection is unavailable.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to critical shortages of medical-grade PPE. Alternative forms of facial protection offer inferior protection. More robust evidence is required on different types of medical-grade facial protection. As research on COVID-19 advances, investigators should continue to examine the impact on alternatives of medical-grade facial protection.

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Performance of two respiratory protective devices used by home-attending health care workers (a pilot study)

Cited by 11 publications

References 6 publications

Development and Validation of a Simple Bioaerosol Collection Filter System Using a Conventional Vacuum Cleaner for Sampling

Development and Validation of a Simple Bioaerosol Collection Filter System Using a Conventional Vacuum Cleaner for Sampling

Particle sizes of infectious aerosols: implications for infection control

Facial protection for healthcare workers during pandemics: a scoping review

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