Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), such as nasoendoscopy, are considered high-risk during the COVID-19 pandemic due to risk of virus aerosol transmission. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative system in reduction of aerosol contamination.Methods
Pilot study involving 15 healthy volunteers performing aerosol-generating activities with the prototype, compared with and without a standard surgical mask.Results
We found an increased frequency of smaller-sized particle emissions for all four expiratory activities. The particle emission rate with the prototype mask was significantly slower over time for the smallest sized particle (0.3 μm) during breathing, speaking and singing compared with similar activities without the mask (p < .05). We found similar trends for coughing for larger particles but that did not reach statistical significance.Conclusion
The innovation offers good protection against aerosol transmission through the physical barrier of the mask, the negative pressure environment within the mask, and the unit's dual filtration function.Level of evidence
Level 2b.
SUBMITTER: Chew HS
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9575126 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Chew Hui Sing HS Tan Marcus M Sanchalika Acharyya A Tan Gabriel G Ho Eu Chin EC Ang Brenda Sze Peng BSP Agrawal Rupesh R Yeo Seng Beng SB
Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology 20220909 5
<h4>Background</h4>Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), such as nasoendoscopy, are considered high-risk during the COVID-19 pandemic due to risk of virus aerosol transmission. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative system in reduction of aerosol contamination.<h4>Methods</h4>Pilot study involving 15 healthy volunteers performing aerosol-generating activities with the prototype, compared with and without a standard surgical mask.<h4>Results</h4>We found an increased frequency of smalle ...[more]