An accessible method for screening aerosol filtration identifies poor-performing commercial masks and respirators.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an acute shortage of regulation-tested masks. Many of the alternatives available to hospitals have not been certified, leaving uncertainty about their ability to properly protect healthcare workers from SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Objective

For situations where regulatory methods are not accessible, we present experimental methods to evaluate mask filtration and breathability quickly via cost-effective approaches (e.g., ~$2000 USD) that could be replicated in communities of need without extensive infrastructure. We demonstrate the need for screening by evaluating an existing diverse inventory of masks/respirators from a local hospital.

Methods

Two experimental approaches are presented to examine both aerosol filtration and f

SUBMITTER: Schilling K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7406964 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature