Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Junli Hao, Rachel Passos de Oliveira Santos, Gregory C. Rutledge
Summary: Analysis of 136 respirators revealed that some had low filtration efficiency due to a lack of electrostatic filtration mechanism, while the level of electrostatic charge on the FFRs affected the filtration performance of the respirators.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Agnes Z. Dardas, Viviana M. Serra Lopez, Lauren M. Boden, Daniel J. Gittings, Kevin Heym, Emily Koerber, Taras Grosh, Jaimo Ahn
Summary: This study demonstrates that a simple modification of surgical masks using rubber bands can improve their seal and protective ability to the level of an N95 respirator. This could alleviate the shortage of N95 respirators worldwide and provide individuals in under-resourced regions with a practical means of increased personal respiratory protection.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
P. Kumkrong, L. Scoles, Y. Brunet, S. Baker, P. H. J. Mercier, D. Poirier
Summary: This study found that hydrogen peroxide and ozone residues persisted on N95 masks after chemical decontamination, even after 5 hours of aeration. Hydrogen peroxide was detected on all masks studied, with levels up to 56 mg per mask observed after 0.5 hours of aeration. Residual levels gradually decreased with aeration, likely due to decomposition and vaporization.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
J. Zhu, Q. Jiang, X. He, X. Li, L. Wang, L. Zheng, P. Jing, M. Chen
Summary: This study found that multi-cycles of N95 respirator reuse with dry heating or UV irradiation disinfection are feasible. The filtration efficiency of the respirators was minimally affected during multiple reuse cycles, and the respirators were able to maintain filtration efficiencies >= 95% for at least 30 hours or four reuse cycles. Lower breathing flow rates and the presence of an exhalation valve could further extend the usability duration of the N95 respirators.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael S. Bergman, Sergey A. Grinshpun, Michael V. Yermakov, Ziqing Zhuang, Brooke E. Vollmer, Katherine N. Yoon
Summary: Widespread disease outbreaks can result in prolonged wear times of N95 filtering facepiece respirators by healthcare personnel, leading to adverse facial skin conditions. This study evaluated the impact of different skin protectants on the fit of respirators using quantitative fit tests. The results showed that all three skin protectants reduced the fit factors for all tested respirator models, with bandage-type and surgical tape protectants having a greater effect than barrier creams. Users should follow respirator manufacturers' guidance and evaluate the fit with skin protectants before use.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hiwa Hossaini, Meghdad Pirsaheb, Akbar Barzegar, Keivan Abdi, Ali Ashraf Derakhshan
Summary: This study measured the particle penetration through different respirator filters (N95, FFP2, and surgical) using a manikin-based sampling system. The results indicate that FFP2 masks have the highest performance among the three types of masks studied.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel Berger, Gabrielle Gundermann, Anjana Sinha, Morgan Moroi, Neerav Goyal, Anthony Tsai
Summary: This review examines the literature on vaporized hydrogen peroxide (vHP), hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (HPGP), and aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) as methods for decontamination of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). The study found that vHP has the most evidence supporting its use in FFR decontamination, consistent with CDC recommendations.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Travis L. Massey, Monica K. Borucki, Samuel Y. Paik, Kyle W. Fuhrer, Mihail Bora, Staci R. Kane, Razi-Ul M. Haque, Salmaan H. Baxamusa
Summary: The study found that heat treatment at 75 degrees Celsius can effectively inactivate coronaviruses on FFRs without affecting fit or filtration efficiency, but exposure to radiant heat sources may lead to rapid degradation. Additionally, wear time and the number of donning/doffing cycles are important factors that can impact FFR fit and should be further investigated.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mingxin Xu, Peter Lee, David Collins
Summary: The protective capacity of masks depends largely on the filtration ratio and fit factor, with mask sealing having a significant impact on these factors. The study found that even small gaps in the mask can lead to a marked decrease in filtration ratio and fit factor.
Review
Sport Sciences
Chen Zheng, Eric Tsz-Chun Poon, Kewen Wan, Zihan Dai, Stephen Heung-Sang Wong
Summary: Wearing face masks during exercise can significantly affect gas exchange and subjective discomfort, but the impact on exercise performance is relatively small. This review provides updated insights into optimizing exercise recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic for the public.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Loic Anderegg, John Doyle, Margaret L. Gardel, Amit Gupta, Christian Hallas, Yuri Lensky, Nancy G. Love, Bronwyn A. Lucas, Edward Mazenc, Cole Meisenhelder, Ajay Pillarisetti, Daniel Ranard, Allison H. Squires, Jessica Vechakul, Nathaniel B. Vilas, Stuart Williams, Daniel Wilson, Tyler N. Chen
Summary: Humid heat is an effective method for decontamination of N95 respirators, with key parameters such as temperature, humidity, duration of exposure, and local microenvironment being crucial. Maintaining temperatures of 70-85 degrees C and relative humidity >50% for at least 30 min can effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirators while preserving fit and filtration efficiency, for three to five cycles. Dry heat is significantly less effective in viral inactivation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
P. Escobedo, M. D. Fernandez-Ramos, N. Lopez-Ruiz, O. Moyano-Rodriguez, A. Martinez-Olmos, I. M. Perez de Vargas-Sansalvador, M. A. Carvajal, L. F. Capitan-Vallvey, A. J. Palma
Summary: This study developed a sensing platform for real-time detection of gaseous CO2 inside FFP2 facemasks. The system combines an opto-chemical sensor with a flexible, battery-less near-field-enabled tag, and includes a smartphone application for wireless powering and data processing. The platform shows potential for non-invasive, wearable health assessment and preclinical research and diagnostics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fateme Barancheshme, Julie Philibert, Natali Noam-Amar, Yoram Gerchman, Benoit Barbeau
Summary: The study compared the UV spectra of human saliva and artificial saliva, revealing significant differences between the two in terms of UV absorbance, due to different mucins demonstrating varying UV absorbance spectra. This suggests that the current standard artificial saliva may not be suitable for UV decontamination studies, and the ASTM saliva recipe should be revised.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karunakaravel Karuppasamy, Nancy Obuchowski
Summary: The study found that sealed surgical masks have better sealing effects than loose-fitting masks, significantly reducing internal aerosol leakage, and performing better in terms of comfort and breathability. This improved mask may provide a useful level of respiratory protection in cases of N95 shortage and for healthcare workers who cannot tolerate N95 masks.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2021)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Wei-Ren Ke, Chih-Chieh Chen, Sheng-Hsiu Huang
Summary: The use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is an effective measure to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but the effectiveness varies depending on the type of equipment and the fit.
AEROSOL AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Worrawit Nakpan, Michael Yermakov, Reshmi Indugula, Roman Jandarov, Tiina Reponen, Sergey A. Grinshpun
JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Matthew M. Dahm, Douglas E. Evans, Stephen Bertke, Sergey A. Grinshpun
AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jennie Cox, Seung-Hyun Cho, Patrick Ryan, Kelechi Isiugo, James Ross, Steven Chillrud, Zheng Zhu, Roman Jandarov, Sergey A. Grinshpun, Tiina Reponen
AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kelechi Isiugo, Roman Jandarov, Jennie Cox, Patrick Ryan, Nicholas Newman, Sergey A. Grinshpun, Reshmi Indugula, Steven Vesper, Tiina Reponen
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simileoluwa Ishau, John F. Reichard, Andrew Maier, Mamadou Niang, Michael Yermakov, Sergey A. Grinshpun
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Evanly Vo, Matthew Horvatin, Michael Bergman, Bingbing Wu, Ziqing Zhuang
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
S. A. Grinshpun, M. Yermakov, M. Khodoun
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lian Zhou, Maosheng Yao, Xiang Zhang, Bicheng Hu, Xinyue Li, Haoxuan Chen, Lu Zhang, Yun Liu, Meng Du, Bochao Sun, Yunyu Jiang, Kai Zhou, Jie Hong, Na Yu, Zhen Ding, Yan Xu, Min Hu, Lidia Morawska, Sergey A. Grinshpun, Pratim Biswas, Richard C. Flagan, Baoli Zhu, Wenqing Liu, Yuanhang Zhang
Summary: The study found that some COVID-19 patients have SARS-CoV-2 in their exhaled breath, while medical equipment and surfaces may still be contaminated, and air samples may also contain the virus. Throat swab diagnosis has a failure rate when safely discharging COVID-19 patients, and breath samples can be used as a supplement to ensure public safety.
JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sergey A. Grinshpun, Jonathan Corey, Michael Yermakov, Bingbing Wu, Kevin T. Strickland, Michael Bergman, Ziqing Zhuang
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Susan Xu, Jeremy Simons, Patrick Yorio, Dana Rottach, Ziqing Zhuang, Lewis Radonovich
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Evanly Vo, Samy Rengasamy, Susan Xu, Matthew Horvatin, Ziqing Zhuang
Summary: The study found that both ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and moist heat (MH) methods effectively inactivate viruses, do not alter respirator properties, and do not leave any toxic byproducts on the respirators. These methods could be promising candidates for decontamination during respirator shortages.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samy Rengasamy, Ziqing Zhuang, Robert B. Lawrence, Brenda Boutin, Patrick Yorio, Matthew Horvatin, Caitlin McClain, James R. Harris, Christopher Coffey
Summary: This study compared total inward leakage (TIL) for various types of respirators using NaCl and corn oil aerosols, finding significant differences in TIL among respirator types. TIL was inversely related to filter efficiency and faceseal leakage, indicating the importance of these factors in determining TIL.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Warren Myers, Segun Ajewole, Susan Xu, Patrick Yorio, Adam Hornbeck, Ziqing Zhuang
Summary: When using NIOSH-approved respirators without additional protections, the level of bacterial contamination is not significantly different from wearing a surgical mask, except for respirators with an exhalation valve which resulted in higher contamination levels.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Susan S. Xu, Zhipeng Lei, Ziqing Zhuang, Michael Bergman
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASME INTERNATIONAL DESIGN ENGINEERING TECHNICAL CONFERENCES AND COMPUTERS AND INFORMATION IN ENGINEERING CONFERENCE, 2019, VOL 1
(2020)