Size-Resolved Penetration of Filtering Materials from CE-Marked Filtering Facepiece Respirators

Serfozo, Norbert; Ondráček, Jakub; Zíková, Naděžda; Lazaridis, Mihalis; Ždı́mal, Vladimı́r

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2016.09.0390

Cited by 22 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 39 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The results indicated the phenomenon of filter degradation in DOP loaded respirators. Their study also found that the MPPSs of P100 filters were approximately 40-80 nm, which is similar to those found for CE-marked filters (Serfozo et al, 2017). Although the impacts of particle size on penetration efficiency were insignificant in this study, the penetration efficiencies with particle size of 55 nm and 94 nm were slightly higher than that with other particle sizes.…”

Section: Penetration Efficiency Of Aerosols In Charcoal Cartridgessupporting

confidence: 82%

Performance Evaluation of Full Facepiece Respirators with Cartridges

Lee

Chen

Hwang

et al. 2017

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Full facepiece respirators (FFRs) with charcoal cartridges are very common wearable devices for industrial or military purposes preventing respiratory tract, face, eyes, and mouth from hazards exposure. However, related research for performance evaluation was rare. We aimed to use a self-developed testing system investigating (1) filtration efficiency (FE) of aerosols in charcoal cartridges; (2) breakthrough time of cyclohexane in charcoal cartridges; (3) fit factors (FFs) and (4) protection factors (PFs) of FRRs. The results showed that FE of charcoal cartridges against 0.3 µm of sodium chloride (NaCl) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) particles under 85 L min -1 were 99.93% and 99.89%, respectively, which did not meet the standard 99.97% regulated for filters such as P100 and HEPA. As for 42.5 L min -1 condition (dual canisters), the FE against NaCl (99.97%) did meet the requirement set for HEPA (99.97%); however, that against DOP (99.95%) failed to meet the standard. In addition, the breakthrough time of 3000ppm cyclohexane was 31 min under 32 L min -1 , which was longer than the 30 min standard described in CNS6636 Z2023 and JIS8152. As to the results of fit test among 21 subjects, only 1 failed to meet the requirement (fit factor = 500) and the average of fit factors was 8342 ± 5892. The mean value of protection factors was 112.3 ± 54.6 while 3 users had lower PFs than the assigned protection factor (APF = 50) regulated by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). APFs obtained for particles less than 100 nm were smaller than the APF standard regulated by OSHA, indicating APF standards may be overestimated for such particle size. Therefore, users should be aware of potential risks caused by such substances in nano-sized scale (e.g., nanoparticles or viruses) when wearing FFRs.

show abstract

Section: Penetration Efficiency Of Aerosols In Charcoal Cartridgessupporting

confidence: 82%

Performance Evaluation of Full Facepiece Respirators with Cartridges

Lee

Chen

Hwang

et al. 2017

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The filtration efficiency and MPPS measured for the FFP2 and FFP3 masks were similar to those measured elsewhere. 29 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Jones

Aeby

Gloor

et al. 2020

Chem. Res. Toxicol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

“…In Europe, the categories of respirators can be classified as filtering half masks (filtering face pieces (FFP)), half masks, powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) and SAR (atmosphere-supplying respirator [ 33 ]. According to European standards, FFPs are further divided into FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3, with an efficiency of 80%, 94% and 99%, respectively (EN 149:2001) [ 34 , 35 ]. The N95 standards are met by FFP2 or 3, which offers the highest filtration efficiency.…”

Section: Standards and Legislationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Face Masks and Respirators in the Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of Current Materials, Advances and Future Perspectives

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The outbreak of COVID-19 has spread rapidly across the globe, greatly affecting how humans as a whole interact, work and go about their daily life. One of the key pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is being utilised to return to the norm is the face mask or respirator. In this review we aim to examine face masks and respirators, looking at the current materials in use and possible future innovations that will enhance their protection against SARS-CoV-2. Previous studies concluded that cotton, natural silk and chiffon could provide above 50% efficiency. In addition, it was found that cotton quilt with a highly tangled fibrous nature provides efficient filtration in the small particle size range. Novel designs by employing various filter materials such as nanofibres, silver nanoparticles, and nano-webs on the filter surfaces to induce antimicrobial properties are also discussed in detail. Modification of N95/N99 masks to provide additional filtration of air and to deactivate the pathogens using various technologies such as low- temperature plasma is reviewed. Legislative guidelines for selecting and wearing facial protection are also discussed. The feasibility of reusing these masks will be examined as well as a discussion on the modelling of mask use and the impact wearing them can have. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models and its applications to minimise or prevent the spread of the virus using face masks and respirators is also addressed. It is concluded that a significant amount of research is required for the development of highly efficient, reusable, anti-viral and thermally regulated face masks and respirators.

show abstract

Size-Resolved Penetration of Filtering Materials from CE-Marked Filtering Facepiece Respirators

Cited by 22 publications

References 39 publications

Performance Evaluation of Full Facepiece Respirators with Cartridges

Performance Evaluation of Full Facepiece Respirators with Cartridges

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

Face Masks and Respirators in the Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of Current Materials, Advances and Future Perspectives

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About