Characterization of performance and disinfection resilience of nonwoven filter materials for use in 3D-printed N95 respirators.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a high demand for respiratory protection among health care workers in hospitals, especially surgical N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). To aid in alleviating that demand, a survey of commercially available filter media was conducted to determine whether any could serve as a substitute for an N95 FFR while held in a 3D-printed mask (Stopgap Surgical Face Mask from the NIH 3D Print Exchange). Fourteen filter media types and eight combinations were evaluated for filtration efficiency, breathing resistance (pressure drop), and liquid penetration. Additional testing was conducted to evaluate two filter media disinfection methods in the event that the filters were reused in a hospital setting. Efficiency testing was conducted in accordance with the proce

SUBMITTER: O'Shaughnessy PT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8215690 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature