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Sekhar SC, Pabba M, Tallam A, Fatima S, Butti SK, Vani B, Sahu N, Sundergopal S. Development of a reusable low-cost facemask with a recycled hydrophobic layer for preventive health care. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:36325-36336. [PMID: 36547833 PMCID: PMC9773657 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24807-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The current work focuses on designing a low-cost, reusable, and highly efficient facemask for protection from respiratory droplets that cause COVID-19, other infection-causing organisms, and dust allergies. Several masks available in the market are single-use that would choke the environment through plastic pollution or are expensive for the commoner to afford. In the present study, the facemask incorporates a waste-derived polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer and a non-woven polypropylene (PP) layer sandwiched between two tightly woven cotton layers. Combining these layers provides comfort and breathability, besides high bacterial and particulate filtration efficiency. Moreover, the unique PET layer provides mechanical strength and a 3D shape that enables hindrance-free speaking and prevents spectacle fogging. Compared to commercial N95 masks, the developed mask can be reused up to 30 washes and recycled with zero waste discharge ensuing green technology. Moreover, the mask was produced at an affordable cost of Rs. 17 (0.22 USD), including labor charges, and sold at a 100% profit margin @ Rs.35 (0.45 USD) per unit. Further, the mask was certified by neutral testing agencies and provided to a population of more than 6 lakhs, thus significantly contributing to the mitigation of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugali Chandra Sekhar
- Membrane Separations Laboratory, PETT Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500 007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Manideep Pabba
- Membrane Separations Laboratory, PETT Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500 007, India
| | - Aarti Tallam
- Membrane Separations Laboratory, PETT Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500 007, India
| | - Saeed Fatima
- Membrane Separations Laboratory, PETT Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500 007, India
| | - Sai Kishore Butti
- Membrane Separations Laboratory, PETT Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500 007, India
| | - Bukke Vani
- Membrane Separations Laboratory, PETT Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500 007, India
| | - Nivedita Sahu
- Membrane Separations Laboratory, PETT Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500 007, India
| | - Sridhar Sundergopal
- Membrane Separations Laboratory, PETT Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500 007, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India.
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Turgeon N, Pagé M, Robillard J, Goulet V, Bahloul A, Brochot C, Saidi MN, Dumont-Leblond N, Duchaine C. Filtration performance, fit test and side effects of respiratory personal protective equipment following decontamination: Observations for user safety and comfort. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280426. [PMID: 36689487 PMCID: PMC9870121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While facing personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, several institutions looked to PPE decontamination and reuse options. This study documents the effect of two hydrogen peroxide treatments on filtration efficiency and fit tests as well as the side effects for volunteers after the decontamination of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). We also propose an efficient and large-scale treatment protocol that allows for the traceability of this protective equipment in hospitals during PPE shortages. METHODS The effects of low-temperature hydrogen peroxide sterilization and hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) on two FFR models (filtration, decontamination level, residual emanation) were evaluated. Ten volunteers reported comfort issues and side effects after wearing 1h FFRs worn and decontaminated up to five times. RESULTS The decontamination process does not negatively affect FFR efficiency, but repeated use and handling tend to lead to damage, limiting the number of times FFRs can be reused. Moreover, the recommended 24-h post-treatment aeration does not sufficiently eliminate residual hydrogen peroxide. Prolonged aeration time increased user comfort when using decontaminated FFRs. CONCLUSIONS HPV and low-temperature hydrogen peroxide sterilization seem to be appropriate treatments for FFR decontamination when the PPE is reused by the same user. PPE decontamination and reuse methods should be carefully considered as they are critical for the comfort and safety of healthcare workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Turgeon
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec- Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mélissa Pagé
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec- Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Justin Robillard
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec- Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Véronique Goulet
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec- Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ali Bahloul
- Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Clothilde Brochot
- Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mohamed Nejib Saidi
- Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nathan Dumont-Leblond
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec- Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Caroline Duchaine
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec- Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Canada Research Chair on Bioaerosols, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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Lynch JB, Davitkov P, Anderson DJ, Bhimraj A, Cheng VCC, Guzman-Cottrill J, Dhindsa J, Duggal A, Jain MK, Lee GM, Liang SY, McGeer A, Varghese J, Lavergne V, Murad MH, Mustafa RA, Sultan S, Falck-Ytter Y, Morgan RL. Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on Infection Prevention for Healthcare Personnel Caring for Patients with Suspected or Known COVID-19. Clin Infect Dis 2021:ciab953. [PMID: 34791102 PMCID: PMC8767890 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since its emergence in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a risk to healthcare personnel (HCP) and patients in healthcare settings. Although all clinical interactions likely carry some risk of transmission, human actions like coughing and care activities like aerosol-generating procedures likely have a higher risk of transmission. The rapid emergence and global spread of SARS-CoV-2 continues to create significant challenges in healthcare facilities, particularly with shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) used by HCP. Evidence-based recommendations for what PPE to use in conventional, contingency, and crisis standards of care continue to be needed. Where evidence is lacking, the development of specific research questions can help direct funders and investigators. OBJECTIVE Develop evidence-based rapid guidelines intended to support HCP in their decisions about infection prevention when caring for patients with suspected or known COVID-19. METHODS IDSA formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel including frontline clinicians, infectious disease specialists, experts in infection control, and guideline methodologists with representation from the disciplines of public health, medical microbiology, pediatrics, critical care medicine and gastroenterology. The process followed a rapid recommendation checklist. The panel prioritized questions and outcomes. Then a systematic review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the certainty of evidence and make recommendations. RESULTS The IDSA guideline panel agreed on eight recommendations, including two updated recommendations and one new recommendation added since the first version of the guideline. Narrative summaries of other interventions undergoing evaluations are also included. CONCLUSIONS Using a combination of direct and indirect evidence, the panel was able to provide recommendations for eight specific questions on the use of PPE for HCP providing care for patients with suspected or known COVID-19. Where evidence was lacking, attempts were made to provide potential avenues for investigation. There remain significant gaps in the understanding of the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and PPE recommendations may need to be modified in response to new evidence. These recommendations should serve as a minimum for PPE use in healthcare facilities and do not preclude decisions based on local risk assessments or requirements of local health jurisdictions or other regulatory bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B Lynch
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Perica Davitkov
- VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Deverick J Anderson
- Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Adarsh Bhimraj
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng
- Queen Mary Hospital, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Judith Guzman-Cottrill
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | | | - Abhijit Duggal
- Department of Critical Care, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Mamta K Jain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Grace M Lee
- Department of Pediatrics-Infectious Disease, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Stephen Y Liang
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Allison McGeer
- Department of Microbiology, Sinai Health System, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Jamie Varghese
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
| | - Valery Lavergne
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - M Hassan Murad
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Reem A Mustafa
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Shahnaz Sultan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Yngve Falck-Ytter
- VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Rebecca L Morgan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
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Impact of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation on new silicone half-piece elastometric respirator (VJR-NMU) performance, structural integrity and sterility during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258245. [PMID: 34648544 PMCID: PMC8516203 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the innovation of our new half-piece elastometric respirator, this type of filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) has been used widely in Thailand. Decontamination methods including ultraviolet C (UVC) germicidal irradiation and 70% alcohol have been implemented to decontaminate these respirators. We then examined the inactivation potential of different decontamination processes on porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and numerous bacterial strains, most of which were skin-derived. To enable rigorous integrity of the masks after repeated decontamination processes, fit tests by the Bitrex test, tensile strength and elongation at break were also evaluated. Our results showed that UVC irradiation at a dose of 3 J/cm2 can eradicate bacteria after 60 min and viruses after 10 min. No fungi were found on the mask surface before decontamination. The good fit test results, tensile strength and elongation at break were still maintained after multiple cycles of decontamination. No evidence of physical degradation was found by gross visual inspection. Alcohol (70%) is also an easy and effective way to eradicate microorganisms on respirators. As the current pandemic is expected to continue for months to years, the need to supply adequate reserves of personnel protective equipment (PPE) and develop effective PPE reprocessing methods is crucial. Our studies demonstrated that the novel silicone mask can be safely reprocessed and decontaminated for many cycles by UVC irradiation, which will help ameliorate the shortage of important protective devices in the COVID-19 pandemic era.
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Stokes K, Peltrini R, Bracale U, Trombetta M, Pecchia L, Basoli F. Enhanced Medical and Community Face Masks with Antimicrobial Properties: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2021; 10:4066. [PMID: 34575177 PMCID: PMC8472488 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Face masks help to limit transmission of infectious diseases entering through the nose and mouth. Beyond reprocessing and decontamination, antimicrobial treatments could extend the lifetime of face masks whilst also further reducing the chance of disease transmission. Here, we review the efficacy of treatments pertaining antimicrobial properties to medical face masks, filtering facepiece respirators and non-medical face masks. Searching databases identified 2113 studies after de-duplication. A total of 17 relevant studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Risk of bias was found to be moderate or low in all cases. Sixteen articles demonstrated success in avoiding proliferation (if not elimination) of viruses and/or bacteria. In terms of methodology, no two articles employed identical approaches to efficacy testing. Our findings highlight that antimicrobial treatment is a promising route to extending the life and improving the safety of face masks. In order to reach significant achievements, shared and precise methodology and reporting is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy Stokes
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK;
| | - Roberto Peltrini
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Umberto Bracale
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Marcella Trombetta
- Department of Engineering, University Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy;
| | - Leandro Pecchia
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK;
| | - Francesco Basoli
- Department of Engineering, University Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy;
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Gnatta JR, Souza RQD, Lemos CDS, Oliveira RA, Martins LR, Moriya GADA, Poveda VDB. Safety in the practice of decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators: A systematic review. Am J Infect Control 2021; 49:825-835. [PMID: 33279587 PMCID: PMC8024221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considering the new SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the potential scarcity of material resources, the reuse of personal protective equipment such as filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) for N95 filtering or higher is being discussed, mainly regarding the effectiveness and safety of cleaning, disinfection and sterilization processes. AIM To analyze the available evidence in the literature on the safety in processing FFRs. METHODS A systematic review conducted by searching for studies in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS, CENTRAL, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. RESULTS Forty studies were included in this review. The disinfectant/sterilizing agents most frequently tested at different concentrations and exposure periods were ultraviolet irradiation, vaporized hydrogen peroxide and steam sterilization. Microbial reduction was assessed in 21 (52.5%) studies. The only disinfectants/sterilizers that did not caused degradation of the material-integrity were alcohol, electric cooker, ethylene oxide, and peracetic acid fogging. Exposure to ultraviolet irradiation or microwave generated-steam resulted in a nonsignificant reduction in filter performance. CONCLUSION There is a complex relationship between the FFR raw materials and the cycle conditions of the decontamination methods, evidencing the need for validating FFRs by models and manufacturers, as well as the process. Some methods may require additional tests to demonstrate the safety of FFRs for use due to toxicity.
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