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Comparative Performance Testing of Respirator versus Surgical Mask Using a Water Droplet Spray Model.
Scheepers, Paul T J; Wertheim, Heiman F L; van Dael, Maurice; Anzion, Rob; Holterman, Henk Jan; Teerenstra, Steven; de Groot, Martijn; Voss, Andreas; Hopman, Joost.
  • Scheepers PTJ; Department for Health Evidence, Research Laboratory Molecular Epidemiology, 6500 HB Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Wertheim HFL; Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • van Dael M; Radboudumc Centre for Infectious Diseases, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Anzion R; Department for Health Evidence, Research Laboratory Molecular Epidemiology, 6500 HB Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Holterman HJ; Department for Health Evidence, Research Laboratory Molecular Epidemiology, 6500 HB Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Teerenstra S; Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
  • de Groot M; Department for Health Evidence, Section Biostatistics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Voss A; Radboudumc REshape Center, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Hopman J; Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 18(4)2021 02 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1079658
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there was shortage of the standard respiratory protective equipment (RPE). The aim of this study was to develop a procedure to test the performance of alternative RPEs used in the care of COVID-19 patients.

METHODS:

A laboratory-based test was developed to compare RPEs by total inward leakage (TIL). We used a crossflow nebulizer to produce a jet spray of 1-100 µm water droplets with a fluorescent marker. The RPEs were placed on a dummy head and sprayed at distances of 30 and 60 cm. The outcome was determined as the recovery of the fluorescent marker on a membrane filter placed on the mouth of the dummy head.

RESULTS:

At 30 cm, a type IIR surgical mask gave a 17.7% lower TIL compared with an FFP2 respirator. At 60 cm, this difference was similar, with a 21.7% lower TIL for the surgical mask compared to the respirator. When adding a face shield, the TIL at 30 cm was further reduced by 9.5% for the respirator and 16.6% in the case of the surgical mask.

CONCLUSIONS:

A safe, fast and very sensitive test method was developed to assess the effectiveness of RPE by comparison under controlled conditions.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Respiratory Protective Devices / Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Personal Protective Equipment / COVID-19 / Masks Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph18041599

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Respiratory Protective Devices / Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Personal Protective Equipment / COVID-19 / Masks Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph18041599