Protection Level and Reusability of a Modified Full-Face Snorkel Mask as Alternative Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has drastically increased pressure on medical resources and highlighted the need for rapidly available, large-scale, and low-cost personal protective equipment (PPE). In this work, an alternative full-face mask is adapted from a modified snorkel mask to be used as PPE with two medical-grade filters and a 3D-printed adapter. Since the mask covers the eyes, mouth, and nose, it acts as a full-face shield, providing additional protection to healthcare workers. The SARS-CoV-2 has a size between 60 nm and 140 nm, and airborne viral particles can be carried by larger droplets with sizes up to several millimeters. The minimum filtration efficiency of mechanical and electrostatic filters is usually reached between 30 nm and 300 nm. The filtration efficiency of different medical filters is measured for particles below 300 nm to cover the size of the SARS-CoV-2 and small virus-laden droplets, and determine the minimum efficiency. The filtration performance of the adapted full-face mask is characterized using NaCl particles below 500 nm and different fitting scenarios to determine the minimum protection efficiency. The mask is compared to a commercial respirator and characterized according to the EN 149 standard, demonstrating that the protection fulfills the requirements for the FFP2 level (filtering face-piece 2, stopping at least 94% of airborne particles). The device shows a good resistance to several cycles of decontamination (autoclaving and ethanol immersion), is easy to be produced locally at low cost, and helps to address the shortage in FFP2 masks and face shields by providing adequate protection to healthcare workers against particles <500 nm in size.

Overview of the User Experience for Snorkeling Mask Designs during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…However, dissimilarities have been observed, depending on the used brand and the type of the deployed filter. Schmitt et al studied the filtering efficiency on a modified Easybreath (Decathlon) mask [115]. In their study, the chin valve was sealed.…”

Atmospheric dispersion of chemical, biological, and radiological hazardous pollutants: Informing risk assessment for public safety

“…The effects of personal protective equipment (PPE) and air-cleaning systems, such as masks and electronic air cleaners, should be considered in the assessment [336][337][338][339][340][341] . Their filtration efficiency should be appropriately evaluated for exposure assessment [342][343][344][345] .…”

Polymer-Thread-Based Fully Textile Capacitive Sensor Embroidered on a Protective Face Mask for Humidity Detection

“…Table summarizes recently reported humidity sensors comprised of diverse components and configurations. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, several efforts have been put forward to create face-mask-embedded sensors for the detection of breath biomarkers; , however, they are mostly based on FFP2 (filtering face-piece 2) masks which need to be optimized for their reusability, long-term wearability, comfort, design, and performance. − This work takes an initiative to utilize single-use nonwoven face masks which are of low weight and with high porosity, presenting an ultimate example of a textile-based wearable device providing a high level of comfort to the wearer in addition to having good sensing capabilities toward moisture detection.…”