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The Effect of Sanitizing Treatments on Respirator Filtration Performance.
Schütz, Jürg A; Pierlot, Anthony P; Alexander, David L J.
  • Schütz JA; CSIRO Manufacturing, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia.
  • Pierlot AP; CSIRO Manufacturing, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia.
  • Alexander DLJ; CSIRO Data61, 20 Research Way, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 19(2)2022 Jan 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1615839
ABSTRACT
The potential for alcoholic vapors emitted by common sanitizing treatments to deteriorate the (electrostatic) filtration performance of disposable respirator masks has been investigated. Reports in the literature and some standard test methods provide a confusing and ambiguous picture concerning the relevance of this effect. Four different types of exposure were investigated in this study to clarify the effect of alcoholic vapor emissions on respirator masks. These included exposure to saturated vapors, use of hand sanitizers, cleaning of table surfaces and sanitization of masks by spraying them with alcohol-containing solutions. Methods employed were designed to be as real-world oriented as possible while remaining reproducible. Filtration performance and deterioration effects on exposure to the different treatments were determined on three different types of certified commercial respirator masks-a P2 and two KN95 masks. This study provides substantial evidence that disposable respirator masks with an accepted performance rating are seriously compromised from an exposure to saturated alcoholic vapors, can tolerate a one-off spray treatment with an alcoholic solution and retain their attested protection under the influence of alcoholic vapors from the use of hand sanitizer or spray sanitizer. Considering the range of vastly different outcomes obtained from the four treatments investigated, it seems prudent to assess in each case the specific effects of alcoholic solution treatments and vapors on respirator masks before use.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Respiratory Protective Devices / Occupational Exposure Type of study: Experimental Studies Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph19020641

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Respiratory Protective Devices / Occupational Exposure Type of study: Experimental Studies Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph19020641