Evaluating the effectiveness of a novel cost-effective aerosol containment chamber for high-risk autopsies: a pilot study
Abstract Autopsy personnel face substantial occupational risks from exposure to infectious agents, particularly during aerosol-generating procedures like bone sawing. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these dangers, underscoring the need for innovative safety solutions in resource-limited settings w...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05271-y |
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| Summary: | Abstract Autopsy personnel face substantial occupational risks from exposure to infectious agents, particularly during aerosol-generating procedures like bone sawing. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these dangers, underscoring the need for innovative safety solutions in resource-limited settings without negative-pressure autopsy suites. To address this, we developed a Low-Cost Infection Containment Chamber (LCICC)—a full-length, transparent, and impermeable structure designed to contain aerosols during high-risk autopsy procedures. This study evaluated the efficacy of LCICC using goat skulls to simulate aerosol generation during sawing. Aerosol densities were measured under both open-air conditions and with LCICC use, employing fluorescein dye for visualization and particle counter for quantification. Statistical analysis confirmed the chamber’s effectiveness in reducing occupational exposure. LCICC demonstrated a substantial reduction in aerosol levels, ranging from 85.96 to 88.38% across all particle sizes. Median aerosol densities were consistently recorded at 10.50 mg/m³ with LCICC use, compared to 74.80 to 90.40 mg/m³ in open-air conditions. LCICC’s affordability, ease of assembly, and reliable performance position it as a groundbreaking tool for protecting healthcare workers, particularly in low-resource settings. This innovation addresses critical gaps in autopsy safety protocols, offering a practical solution to mitigate risks associated with infectious aerosols while advancing occupational health standards in forensic pathology. |
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| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |