Dataset Information

In-mask temperature and humidity can validate respirator wear-time and indicate lung health status.

ABSTRACT: The effectiveness of respiratory protection is dependent on many factors, including the duration and times during the day when it is worn. To date, these factors could only be assessed by direct observation of the respirator user. We describe the novel use of a data-logging temperature and humidity sensor (iButton Hygrochron) located inside a facemask to quantify respirator wear-time through supervised experiments (Phase 1) and an unsupervised wearing trial (Phase 2). Additionally, in Phase 1 the in-mask temperature was compared with measurements of exhaled breath temperature. We found humidity responds more rapidly than temperature to donning a mask, so it was considered a more sensitive measure of wear-time, particularly for short durations. Supervised tests showed that this method can provide accurate and precise estimates of wear-time, although the approach may be unsuitable for use in situations where there is high ambient humidity. In-mask temperature is closely associated with exhaled breath temperature, which is linked to lung inflammation. This technique could provide a useful way of evaluating the effectiveness of respirators in protecting health in real-life situations.

SUBMITTER: Cherrie JW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6760615 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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In-mask temperature and humidity can validate respirator wear-time and indicate lung health status.

Cherrie John W JW Wang Shuohui S Mueller William W Wendelboe-Nelson Charlotte C Loh Miranda M

Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology 20181031 4

The effectiveness of respiratory protection is dependent on many factors, including the duration and times during the day when it is worn. To date, these factors could only be assessed by direct observation of the respirator user. We describe the novel use of a data-logging temperature and humidity sensor (iButton Hygrochron) located inside a facemask to quantify respirator wear-time through supervised experiments (Phase 1) and an unsupervised wearing trial (Phase 2). Additionally, in Phase 1 th ...[more]

PMID: 30382241

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Project description:This study aims to evaluate the filtration performance of three commercially available (3M 8210 respirator, Halyard 48207 surgical mask, and 3M 1820 procedure mask) and two alternative face mask and respirator materials (Halyard H600 sterilization wrap and Cummins EX101) after selected decontamination treatments, including isopropanol (IPA) treatments (soaking or spraying), ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), and heat treatments (dry heat at 77 °C or steam heat). Both IPA soaking and spraying removed most electrostatic charges on all four electret materials (three commercial and one alternative), causing significant deterioration of filtration efficiency to unacceptable level. The other non-electret alternative material sustained its N95-grade performance after both IPA soaking and spraying treatments, demonstrating the possible application of IPA disinfection for non-electret alternative respirator/mask materials. UVGI preserved the filtration of all three commercially available respirator/mask materials after up to 10 treatments, suggesting it can be a possible decontamination method for hospital and clinic use without compromising respirator/mask performance. The considerations of the practical implementation of this method was discussed. Between the two heat treatment methods tested, dry heat showed better compatibility with electret material by sustaining both filtration efficiency and fit (tested on commercial respirator only), although adding moisture was reported in favor of virus inactivation. Heat treatment is easily accessible method for general publics to implement at home, while it is recommended to maintain the moisture level below saturation. Comparing to size-integrated method, the size-resolved fractional efficiency measurement technique, although more time consuming, proved to be a better method for evaluating respirator/mask filtration performance after decontaminations by providing more sensitive detection of performance degradation and the capability of distinguishing charge loss to other mechanisms causing efficiency deterioration. Detailed descriptions are provided in methodology part to emphasize the cares needed for an appropriate efficiency evaluation. The limited results in this study on worn masks made of alternative sterilization wrap indicated possible performance degradation of electret material caused by normal human wearing activities, suggesting the need of assessing respirator/mask decontamination strategy by testing practically worn-and-decontaminated/reused samples instead of unworn only-decontaminated counterparts.

Dataset Information

In-mask temperature and humidity can validate respirator wear-time and indicate lung health status.

Publications

In-mask temperature and humidity can validate respirator wear-time and indicate lung health status.

Similar Datasets

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