Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Roxanne Weiss, Leon Guchlerner, Tobias Weissgerber, Natalie Filmann, Birgit Haake, Kai Zacharowski, Timo Wolf, Sabine Wicker, Volkhard A. J. Kempf, Sandra Ciesek, Timo Stoever, Marc Diensthuber
Summary: This study assessed limitations in hearing and communication when using a PAPR system and found that sound insulation by the PAPR headtop and noise from the blower-assisted system significantly deteriorated hearing thresholds and speech recognition scores. However, hearing with PAPR was significantly improved with the use of an in-ear headset. Sound attenuation by FFP3 respirators and surgical face masks did not have a clinically relevant impact on speech perception.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Mining & Mineral Processing
Jintuo Zhu, Xinjian He, Liang Wang, Xiaoxue Liao, Guangping Teng, Pengli Jing
Summary: This study quantitatively evaluates the performance of respirators used in deep coal mines under high humidity and high dust concentration conditions. The results show that the filtration efficiency of respirators decreases and breathing resistance increases with the increase of dust loading and concentration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MINING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
D. Clinkard, A. Mashari, K. Karkouti, L. Fedorko
Summary: The study found that N95 respirators and snorkel masks with high-efficiency filters provide inconsistent respiratory protection for healthcare workers, while adding an inexpensive powered-air purifying respirator to the snorkel mask can enhance protection.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Michelle S. M. Rhee, Carin D. Lindquist, Matthew T. Silvestrini, Amanda C. Chan, Jonathan J. Y. Ong, Vijay K. Sharma
Summary: The study found that the use of face masks can significantly increase CO2 concentration, but remains within safe limits. The clinical implications of elevated CO2 levels due to prolonged mask use need further research.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
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
Emergency Medicine
Yukari Goto, Naruhiro Jingushi, Hiroaki Hiraiwa, Hiroaki Ogawa, Yoshinori Sakai, Daisuke Kasugai, Taku Tanaka, Michiko Higashi, Takanori Yamamoto, Atsushi Numaguchi
Summary: A simulation study found that tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators did not provide adequate protection during chest compressions, with 78% of participants experiencing at least one failure of protection during three sessions of compressions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jia Xu, Nan Zhang, Guotao Zhang, Yujuan Zhang, Zhiyu Wang, Ping Lu, Wen Yang, Chunmei Geng, Xinhua Wang, Liwen Zhang, Bin Han, Zhipeng Bai
Summary: Short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution is associated with reduced lung function, and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) component of the pollution is responsible for the reduction.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sinan Sousan, Nicole Garcia, Avian White, Jo Anne Balanay
Summary: The study compared the efficiency of Halyard H600 fabric with N95 and P100 filters, revealing that while H600 had 100% efficiency for large particles, its performance was inconsistent for smaller particles. The study also found a significant increase in breathing resistance for Halyard H600 compared to N95 and P100 filters, indicating that it is not a suitable substitute for respiratory protection.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Judith S. Kempfle, Ashwin Panda, Mary Hottin, Kevin Vinik, Elliott D. Kozin, Christopher J. Ito, Aaron K. Remenschneider
Summary: The use of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) by healthcare personnel may lead to hearing impairment and communication difficulties, especially when dealing with patients with high-risk infectious diseases.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
B. Crook, C. Bailey, A. Sykes, M. C. Hoyle, C. Evans, B. Poller, C. Makison-Booth, D. Pocock, C. Tuudah, B. Athan, S. Hall
Summary: This study tested two alternative PAPRs with all re-usable elements worn under PPE. Participants found the exercise beneficial and the data obtained supported evidence-based decisions on the PAPR/PPE ensemble to be adopted by the HCID Network. One cross-contamination event was recorded, which could be eliminated with further practice.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2023)
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
Emergency Medicine
Jun Young Chong, ChangShin Kang, Wonjoon Jeong, Jung Soo Park, Yeonho You, Hong Joon Ahn, Jin Hong Min, TaeSik Hwang, OYu Kwon, Seung Whan Kim
Summary: The study suggests that 1 minute of chest compressions with a 1-minute rest maintained better CPR quality while wearing personal protective equipment.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Roger C. K. Law, Joseph H. K. Lai, David John Edwards, Huiying (Cynthia) Hou
Summary: The risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19, especially in non-clinical facilities such as spa pools, has raised concerns. Current protective measures for these facilities need further improvement, and future research directions include developing bespoke personal protective equipment and engineering and management controls.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
C. -G. Wang, Z. Li, S. Liu, C. T. Ng, M. Marzuki, P. S. Jeslyn Wong, B. Tan, A. Lee, C. F. Hui Lim, P. Bifani, Z. Fang, J. C. Ching Wong, Y. X. Setoh, Y. Y. Yang, C. H. Mun, S. Z. Fiona Phua, W. Q. Lim, L. Lin, A. R. Cook, H. Tanoto, L. -C. Ng, A. Singhal, Y. W. Leong, X. J. Loh
Summary: This study systematically evaluated five N95 respirator decontamination methods using VHP or UVC radiation, and found that four methods effectively inactivated Cardiovirus and bacteria after multiple cycles, achieving respirator regeneration and reuse.
MATERIALS TODAY ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Akshay Kothakonda, Lyla Atta, Deborah Plana, Ferrous Ward, Chris Davis, Avilash Cramer, Robert Moran, Jacob Freake, Enze Tian, Ofer Mazor, Pavel Gorelik, Christopher Van, Christopher Hansen, Helen Yang, Michael S. Sinha, Ju Li, Sherry H. Yu, Nicole R. LeBoeuf, Peter K. Sorger, Yao Li
Summary: The rapid spread of COVID-19 led to severe shortages of PPE, particularly devices like PAPRs. The use of open-source product development allowed for alternative sources of supply and innovation for PAPRs. Engineering testing and clinical feedback showed that the PanFab designs offer favorable alternatives in terms of user comfort, mobility, and sense of security.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)