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In-House Filtration Efficiency Assessment of Vapor Hydrogen Peroxide Decontaminated Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs).

ABSTRACT: To cope with the shortage of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), healthcare institutions have been forced to reuse FFRs using different decontamination methods, including vapor hydrogen peroxide (VHP). However, most healthcare institutions still struggle with evaluating the effect of VHP on filtration efficiency (FE) of the decontaminated FFRs. We developed a low-cost in-house FE assessment using a novel 3D-printed air duct. Furthermore, we assessed the FE of seven types of FFRs. Following 10 VHP cycles, we evaluated the FE of KN95 and 3M-N95 masks. The 3M-N95 and Benehal-N95 masks showed significant lower FE (80.4-91.8%) at fine particle sizes (0.3-1 µm) compared to other FFRs (FE ≥ 98.1%, p < 0.05). Following 10 VHP cycles, the FE of KN95 masks was almost stable (FE stability > 99.1%) for all particle sizes, while 3M-N95 masks were stable only at 2 and 5 µm (FE stability > 98.0%). Statistically, FE stability of 3M-N95 masks at 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 µm was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.006) than 2 and 5 µm. The in-house FE assessment may be used as an emergency procedure to validate the decontaminated FFRs, as well as a screening option for production control of FFRs. Following VHP cycles, both masks showed high stability at 5 µm, the size of the most suspected droplets implicated in COVID-19 transmission.

SUBMITTER: Al-Hadyan K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8297238 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Dry Heat as a Potential Decontamination Method on the Filtration Efficiency of Filtering Facepiece Respirators.

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| S-EPMC9223160 | biostudies-literature

Examination of Nanoparticle Filtration by Filtering Facepiece Respirators During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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A Review of Decontamination Methods for Filtering Facepiece Respirators.

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Current Understanding of Ultraviolet-C Decontamination of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators.

Project description:Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to critical shortages of single-use N95 filtering facepiece respirators. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation as one of the most promising decontamination methods during crisis-capacity surges; however, understanding the mechanism of pathogen inactivation and post-treatment respirator performance is central to effective UV-C decontamination. Objective: We summarize the UV-C N95 decontamination evidence and identify key metrics. Methods: We evaluate the peer-reviewed literature on UV-C decontamination to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, viral analogues, and other microorganisms inoculated on N95s, as well as the resulting effect on respirator fit and filtration. Where peer-reviewed studies are absent, we discuss outstanding questions and ongoing work. Key Findings: Evidence supports that UV-C exposure of ≥1.0 J/cm2 inactivates SARS-CoV-2 analogues (≥3-log reduction) on the majority of tested N95 models. The literature cautions that (1) viral inactivation is N95 model-dependent and impeded by shadowing, (2) N95 straps require secondary decontamination, (3) higher doses may be necessary to inactivate other pathogens (e.g., some bacterial spores), and (4) while N95 fit and filtration appear to be preserved for 10-20 cycles of 1.0 J/cm2, donning and doffing may degrade fit to unacceptable levels within fewer cycles. Results and Discussion: Effective N95 UV-C treatment for emergency reuse requires both (1) inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, achieved through application of UV-C irradiation at an appropriate wavelength and effective dose, and (2) maintenance of the fit and filtration efficiency of the N95. Conclusions: UV-C treatment is a risk-mitigation process that should be implemented only under crisis-capacity conditions and with proper engineering, industrial hygiene, and biosafety controls.

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Decontamination and Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators - Where Do We Stand?

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Safety in the practice of decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators: A systematic review.

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UV-C tower for point-of-care decontamination of filtering facepiece respirators.

Project description:BackgroundFiltering facepiece respirators (FFR) are critical for protecting essential personnel and limiting the spread of disease. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, FFR supplies are dwindling in many health systems, necessitating re-use of potentially contaminated FFR. Multiple decontamination solutions have been developed to meet this pressing need, including systems designed for bulk decontamination of FFR using vaporous hydrogen peroxide or ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation. However, the large scale on which these devices operate may not be logistically practical for small or rural health care settings or for ad hoc use at points-of-care.MethodsHere, we present the Synchronous UV Decontamination System, a novel device for rapidly deployable, point-of-care decontamination using UV-C germicidal irradiation. We designed a compact, easy-to-use device capable of delivering over 2 J cm2 of UV-C radiation in one minute.ResultsWe experimentally tested Synchronous UV Decontamination System' microbicidal capacity and found that it eliminates near all virus from the surface of tested FFRs, with less efficacy against pathogens embedded in the inner layers of the masks.ConclusionsThis short decontamination time should enable care-providers to incorporate decontamination of FFR into a normal donning and doffing routine following patient encounters.

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Project description:During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs) were highly effective, but concerns arose regarding their physiological effects across different age groups. This study evaluated these effects based on age and exercise intensity in 28 participants (children, young adults, and older individuals). Physiological parameters such as respiratory frequency (Rf), minute ventilation (VE), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), metabolic equivalents (METs), percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) and the concentration of O2 and CO2 in the FFRs were measured during treadmill tests with and without FFRs (cup-shaped, flat-folded, and with an exhalation valve). There was no significant difference in physiological effects between the control and FFR types, although Rf, VE, VCO2, VO2, METs, and HR increased with increasing exercise intensity. Depending on the exercise intensity, the O2 level in the FFR dead space decreased, and the CO2 level increased but this was independent of the dead space volume or FFR type. The study concluded that FFRs did not substantially impact daily life or short-term exercise, supporting their safe and effective use as a public health measure during pandemics and informing inclusive guidelines and policies.

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Effect of gamma irradiation on filtering facepiece respirators and SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Project description:To cope with the shortage of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare institutions were forced to reuse FFRs after applying different decontamination methods including gamma-irradiation (GIR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GIR on the filtration efficiency (FE) of FFRs and on SARS-CoV-2 detection. The FE of 2 FFRs types (KN95 and N95-3 M masks) was assessed at different particle sizes (0.3-5 µm) following GIR (0-15 kGy) delivered at either typical (1.65 kGy/h) or low (0.5088 kGy/h) dose rates. The detection of two SARS-CoV-2 RNA genes (E and RdRp4) following GIR (0-50 kGy) was carried out using RT-qPCR assay. Both masks showed an overall significant (P < 0.001) reduction in FE with increased GIR doses. No significant differences were observed between GIR dose rates on FE. The GIR exhibited significant increases (P ≤ 0.001) in the cycle threshold values (ΔCt) of both genes, with no detection following high doses. In conclusion, complete degradation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be achieved by high GIR (≥ 30 kGy), suggesting its potential use in FFRs decontamination. However, GIR exhibited adverse effects on FE in dose- and particle size-dependent manners, rendering its use to decontaminate FFRs debatable.

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Survival of Microorganisms on Nonwovens Used for the Construction of Filtering Facepiece Respirators.

Project description:Filtering nonwovens that constitute the base material for filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) used for the protection of the respiratory system against bioaerosols may, in favourable conditions, promote the development of harmful microorganisms. There are no studies looking at the impact that different types of filtering nonwovens have on microorganism survival, which is an important issue for FFR producers and users. Five commercial filtering nonwovens manufactured using diverse textile technologies (i.e., needle-punching, melt-blown, spun-bonding) with different structural parameters and raw material compositions were used within our research. The survival of microorganisms on filtering nonwovens was determined for E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis bacteria; C. albicans yeast and A. niger mould. Samples of nonwovens were collected immediately after inoculum application (at 0 h) and after 4, 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of incubation. The tests were carried out in accordance with the AATCC 100-1998 method. Survival depended strongly on microorganism species. E. coli and S. aureus bacteria grew the most on all nonwovens tested. The structural parameters of the nonwovens tested (mass per unit area and thickness) and contact angle did not significantly affect microorganism survival.

| S-EPMC6480171 | biostudies-literature

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