|
1
|
Zhu J, Jiang Q, Ye Y, He X, Shao J, Li X, Zhao X, Xu H, Hu Q. Water-blocking Asphyxia of N95 Medical Respirator During Hot Environment Work Tasks With Whole-body Enclosed Anti-bioaerosol Suit. Saf Health Work 2023; 14:457-466. [PMID: 38187212 PMCID: PMC10770281 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background During hot environment work tasks with whole-body enclosed anti-bioaerosol suit, the combined effect of heavy sweating and exhaled hot humid air may cause the N95 medical respirator to saturate with water/sweat (i.e., water-blocking). Methods 32 young male subjects with different body mass indexes (BMI) in whole-body protection (N95 medical respirator + one-piece protective suit + head covering + protective face screen + gloves + shoe covers) were asked to simulate waste collecting from each isolated room in a seven-story building at 27-28°C, and the weight, inhalation resistance (Rf), and aerosol penetration of the respirator before worn and after water-blocking were analyzed. Results All subjects reported water-blocking asphyxia of the N95 respirators within 36-67 min of the task. When water-blocking occurred, the Rf and 10-200 nm total aerosol penetration (Pt) of the respirators reached up to 1270-1810 Pa and 17.3-23.3%, respectively, which were 10 and 8 times of that before wearing. The most penetration particle size of the respirators increased from 49-65 nm before worn to 115-154 nm under water-blocking condition, and the corresponding maximum size-dependent aerosol penetration increased from 2.5-3.5% to 20-27%. With the increase of BMI, the water-blocking occurrence time firstly increased then reduced, while the Rf, Pt, and absorbed water all increased significantly. Conclusions This study reveals respirator water-blocking and its serious negative impacts on respiratory protection. When performing moderate-to-high-load tasks with whole-body protection in a hot environment, it is recommended that respirator be replaced with a new one at least every hour to avoid water-blocking asphyxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jintuo Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Gas and Fire Control for Coal Mines (China University of Mining and Technology), Ministry of Education, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Professional Laboratory for Fundamental Research of Mine Gas and Dust Control Technology, School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qijun Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Gas and Fire Control for Coal Mines (China University of Mining and Technology), Ministry of Education, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Professional Laboratory for Fundamental Research of Mine Gas and Dust Control Technology, School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuxuan Ye
- Key Laboratory of Gas and Fire Control for Coal Mines (China University of Mining and Technology), Ministry of Education, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Professional Laboratory for Fundamental Research of Mine Gas and Dust Control Technology, School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinjian He
- Key Laboratory of Gas and Fire Control for Coal Mines (China University of Mining and Technology), Ministry of Education, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Professional Laboratory for Fundamental Research of Mine Gas and Dust Control Technology, School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiang Shao
- School of Architecture & Design, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Gas and Fire Control for Coal Mines (China University of Mining and Technology), Ministry of Education, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Professional Laboratory for Fundamental Research of Mine Gas and Dust Control Technology, School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xijie Zhao
- School of Architecture & Design, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huan Xu
- School of Materials Science and Physics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Hu
- Key Laboratory of Gas and Fire Control for Coal Mines (China University of Mining and Technology), Ministry of Education, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Professional Laboratory for Fundamental Research of Mine Gas and Dust Control Technology, School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| |
Collapse
|