Filtration performance, fit test and side effects of respiratory personal protective equipment following decontamination: Observations for user safety and comfort.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

While facing personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, several institutions looked to PPE decontamination and reuse options. This study documents the effect of two hydrogen peroxide treatments on filtration efficiency and fit tests as well as the side effects for volunteers after the decontamination of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). We also propose an efficient and large-scale treatment protocol that allows for the traceability of this protective equipment in hospitals during PPE shortages.

Methods

The effects of low-temperature hydrogen peroxide sterilization and hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) on two FFR models (filtration, decontamination level, residual emanation) were evaluated. Ten volunteers reported comfort issue

SUBMITTER: Turgeon N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9870121 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature