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Mumma J, Liu F, Ng NL, Morgan J, Lane M, Gannon P. Designing better cloth masks: The effect of fabric and attachment-style on discomfort. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2023; 20:23-32. [PMID: 36344309 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2022.2145013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cloth masks are a tool for controlling community transmission during pandemics, as well as during other outbreak situations. However, cloth masks vary in their designs, and the consequences of this variability for their effectiveness as source control have received little attention, particularly in terms of user discomfort and problematic mask-wearing behaviors. In the present studies, common design parameters of cloth masks were systematically varied to ascertain their effect(s) on the subjective discomfort and frequency of problematic mask-wearing behaviors, which detract from the effectiveness of cloth masks as source control. The type of fabric comprising a mask (flannel or twill made of 100% cotton) and the attachment-style of a mask (i.e., ear loops or fabric ties) were varied in adults (18 to 65 years) and children (ages 6 to 11 years). For adults, ear loops were less comfortable than ties (p = .035) and were associated with greater face- (p = .005) and mask-touching (p = .001). Children, however, found flannel masks to be more breathable than twill masks (p = .007) but touched their masks more frequently when wearing a mask made of flannel than twill (p = .033). Common design parameters of cloth masks not only affect user discomfort and behavior but do so differently in adults and children. To improve the effectiveness of cloth masks as source control, the present studies highlight the importance of measuring the effect(s) of design decisions on user discomfort and behavior in different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Mumma
- School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Fobang Liu
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nga Lee Ng
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Morgan Lane
- School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Paige Gannon
- School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Lin L, Yuan B, Zhang B, Li H, Liao R, Hong H, Lu H, Liu J, Yan C. Uncovering the disposable face masks as vectors of metal ions (Pb(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ), Sr(Ⅱ)) during the COVID-19 pandemic. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND : 1996) 2022; 439:135613. [PMID: 36568492 PMCID: PMC9761293 DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.135613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The demand for disposable face masks (DFMs) increased sharply in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, information regarding the underlying roles of the largely discarded DFMs in the environment is extremely lacking. This study focused on the pristine and UV-aged DFMs as vectors of metal ions (Pb(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ), and Sr(Ⅱ)). Further, the aging mechanism of DFMs with UV radiation as well as the interaction mechanisms between DFMs and metal ions were investigated. Results revealed that the aging process would help to promote more metal ions adsorbed onto DFMs, which was mainly attributed to the presence of oxygen-containing groups on the aged DFMs. The adsorption affinity of pristine and aged DFMs for the metal ions followed Pb(Ⅱ) > Cd(Ⅱ) > Sr(Ⅱ), which was positively corrected with the electronegativity of the metals. Interestingly, we found that even if DFMs were not disrupted, DFMs had similar or even higher adsorption affinity for metals compared with other existing microplastics. Besides, regarding environmental factors, including salinity and solution pH played a crucial role in the adsorption processes, with greater adsorption capacities for pristine and aged DFMs at higher pH values and low salinity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory further confirmed that the pristine DFMs interacted with the metals mainly through electrostatic interaction, while electrostatic interaction and surface complexation jointly regulated the adsorption of the metals onto aged DFMs. Overall, these findings would help to evaluate environmental behaviors and risks of DFMs associated with metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujian Lin
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Bo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Binghuang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Hanyi Li
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Ran Liao
- Guangdong Research Center of Polarization Imaging and Measurement Engineering Technology, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Hualong Hong
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Haoliang Lu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Jingchun Liu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Chongling Yan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
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Wooldridge AR, Carman EM, Xie A. Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) applications in responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned and considerations for methods. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2022; 102:103733. [PMID: 35272182 PMCID: PMC8898678 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE), with the goal to support humans through system design, can contribute to responses to emergencies and crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we describe three cases presented at the 21st Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association to demonstrate how HFE has been applied during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely to (1) develop a mobile diagnostic testing system, (2) understand the changes within physiotherapy services, and (3) guide the transition of a perioperative pain program to telemedicine. We reflect on methodological choices and lessons learned from each case and discuss opportunities to expand the impact of HFE in responses to future emergencies. The HFE discipline should develop faster, less resource intensive but still rigorous, methods, increase available HFE expertise by growing the field, and proactively enhance individual and public perception of the importance of HFE in crisis response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva-Maria Carman
- Trent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
| | - Anping Xie
- Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Department Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
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GHARIBI V, COUSINS R, MOKARAMI H, JAHANGIRI M, Amin KESHAVARZ M, Mehdi SHIRMOHAMMADI-BAHADORAN M. Assessment of masks used by healthcare workers: Development and validation of a Mask Qualitative Assessment Tool (MQAT). Saf Health Work 2022; 13:364-371. [PMID: 36156866 PMCID: PMC9482020 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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