Size- and Time-Dependent Particle Removal Efficiency of Face Masks and Improvised Respiratory Protection Equipment Used during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Krajnc, Anja; Pirker, Luka; Centa, Urška Gradišar; Gradišek, Anton; Mekjavic, Igor B.; Godnic, Matej; Čebašek, Metod; Bregant, Tina; Remškar, Maja

doi:10.3390/s21051567

Cited by 9 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(63 reference statements)

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“…The minimum FE value is in the particle diameter range, where the aerosols are too small for direct impaction, interception, or settling, and too big for diffusion and electrostatic attraction to be an efficient removal mechanism [ 37 ]. Similar size-dependent FE measurements were also observed in other studies, where materials from different cloth masks, surgical masks, and facepiece respirators were tested [ 11 ]. The low overall FE is mainly due to the large pore size and lack of a static electric charge on the surface of the fibres [ 12 ].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 84%

“…The overall FE was determined from the third measurement from the onset of the measurement. Further details on the definitions and calculation specifics can be found in our previous publication [ 11 , 12 ]. The FE was determined using a special holder carrying a 4 cm × 4 cm piece of the material at the wider part and connected with a tube to the SMPS.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To protect oneself against the airborne infections and pollutants, respiratory protection can be used. The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was mitigated with the use of various personal protection equipment (PPE), such as masks, facepiece respirators, and barriers, to reduce and even stop the transmission of aerosols and droplets between individuals [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. The need for PPE yielded a high mask production, and improvised solutions of different levels of protection were proposed [ 11 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One possibility is to use natural materials, such as cotton or linen. Differently woven cotton has already been tested in a previous study, but its filtration efficiency (FE) is lower compared to certified PPE [ 11 , 20 ]. For natural fabrics to replace current PPE, they need to stand up to current PPE standards.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enhanced Filtration Efficiency of Natural Materials with the Addition of Electrospun Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) Fibres

et al. 2023

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Pollutants and infectious diseases can spread through air with airborne droplets and aerosols. A respiratory mask can decrease the amount of pollutants we inhale and it can protect us from airborne diseases. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, masks became an everyday item used by a lot of people around the world. As most of them are for a single use, the amount of non-recyclable waste increased dramatically. The plastic from which the masks are made pollutes the environment with various chemicals and microplastic. Here, we investigated the time- and size-dependent filtration efficiency (FE) of aerosols in the range of 25.9 to 685.4 nm of five different natural materials whose FE was enhanced using electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF) fibres. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to determine the morphology and structure of the natural materials as well as the thickness of the PVDF fibres, while the phase of the electrospun fibres was determined by Raman spectroscopy. A thin layer of the electrospun PVDF fibres with the same grammage was sandwiched between two sheets of natural materials, and their FE increased up to 80%. By varying the grammature of the electrospun polymer, we tuned the FE of cotton from 82.6 to 99.9%. Thus, through the optimization of the grammage of the electrospun polymer, the amount of plastic used in the process can be minimized, while achieving sufficiently high FE.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enhanced Filtration Efficiency of Natural Materials with the Addition of Electrospun Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) Fibres

et al. 2023

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“…217 Size-and time-dependent particle removal efficiency is reported from different protective respiratory masks which can be optimized by nanostructured systems. 218 Ag nanocluster/silica composite nanocoating impregnated in facial masks possessed a promising virucidal property, reduced the SARS-CoV-2 titer, and provided great safety to be used in crowded areas. 178 In addition, SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 NPs coated with polypropylene or polyethylene demonstrated super water repellent effects; TiO 2 and MgO NP coatings provided self-sterilizing activity; indium-tin oxide NPs produced an electromagnetic/ infrared protective clothing and ceramic NPs resulted in an increased abrasion resistance.…”

Section: Nanotechnology For Improvement Of Personal Protection Equipment (Ppe)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Could Nanotechnology Help to End the Fight Against COVID-19? Review of Current Findings, Challenges and Future Perspectives

Yayehrad¹,

Siraj²,

Birhanu³

et al. 2021

IJN

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A serious viral infectious disease was introduced to the globe by the end of 2019 that was seen primarily from China, but spread worldwide in a few months to be a pandemic. Since then, accurate prevention, early detection, and effective treatment strategies are not yet outlined. There is no approved drug to counter its worldwide transmission. However, integration of nanostructured delivery systems with the current management strategies has promised a pronounced opportunity to tackle the pandemic. This review addressed the various promising nanotechnology-based approaches for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the pandemic. The pharmaceutical, pharmacoeconomic, and regulatory aspects of these systems with currently achieved or predicted beneficial outcomes, challenges, and future perspectives are also highlighted.

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Computational Fluid Dynamics‐Based Optimization of Face Mask Filter Media Using Micro‐Computed Tomography Scans

Berger

Azimian²,

Eichheimer³

et al. 2023

Chem Eng & Technol

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During the COVID‐19 pandemic, face masks have become an important protective measure for reducing the spread of potentially infectious aerosol particles emitted while speaking, coughing, or simply breathing. In this work, a voxel‐based numerical model obtained from micro‐computed tomography (microCT) scans of a medical mask was validated by comparing fractional filtration efficiency and net pressure loss to values measured at an in‐house mask test bench after discharging the mask in isopropanol. Varying mean fiber diameter, solid volume fraction, and thickness of the filter medium, parametric studies based on a digital twin of the mask sample were carried out. It is demonstrated that face masks can be designed where filtration efficiency, pressure drop, and material consumption is improved compared to the base case.

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Size- and Time-Dependent Particle Removal Efficiency of Face Masks and Improvised Respiratory Protection Equipment Used during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 9 publications

References 30 publications

Enhanced Filtration Efficiency of Natural Materials with the Addition of Electrospun Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) Fibres

Enhanced Filtration Efficiency of Natural Materials with the Addition of Electrospun Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) Fibres

Could Nanotechnology Help to End the Fight Against COVID-19? Review of Current Findings, Challenges and Future Perspectives

Computational Fluid Dynamics‐Based Optimization of Face Mask Filter Media Using Micro‐Computed Tomography Scans

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