Evaluation of the Microbiota and Integrity of Respirators Reused by Health Professionals in a Hospital Environment
Abstract The shortage of PFF2, N95, and KN95 respirators and their equivalents for the respiratory protection of the population and health professionals during COVID-19 pandemic has driven the adoption of alternative measures to address the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). The use of sur...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2022-11-01
|
| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220057 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1823862852953309184 |
|---|---|
| author | José D. Paiva Giselda Neves Paulo C. Neto Wanuska Portugal Douglas Ferreira Fernando Lundgren Idalina Cambuim Ana C. Paiva Elvis França |
| author_facet | José D. Paiva Giselda Neves Paulo C. Neto Wanuska Portugal Douglas Ferreira Fernando Lundgren Idalina Cambuim Ana C. Paiva Elvis França |
| author_sort | José D. Paiva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The shortage of PFF2, N95, and KN95 respirators and their equivalents for the respiratory protection of the population and health professionals during COVID-19 pandemic has driven the adoption of alternative measures to address the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). The use of surgical masks, handmade masks, and even the prolonged use of respirators were some of the measures adopted in response to the high demand for these products, and their consequent shortage. In this context, the present study evaluated the microbiota and integrity of reused PFF2 respirators in the central sterile services department of a hospital. Respirators that had been used for 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h were sampled for the inoculation and cultivation of fungi and bacteria and the identification of their microbiota. To assess the integrity of the respirators, a filtration efficiency assessment test was conducted of the respirators used for 36 h. The results obtained showed that the microbiota of the respirators comprised commensal fungi and bacteria from the oral and nasal regions of human beings. It was also found that after 36 h of use, the respirators did not demonstrate a decrease in filtration efficiency; that is, they retained their 97% filtration efficiency. Considering the findings regarding the presence and pathogenicity of microorganisms, it is possible that the reuse of respirators for up to 36 h does not harm the health of immunocompetent users. In terms of PPE efficiency, no compromises were evidenced. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e582d10f57114d6881e65cb3188d459a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-e582d10f57114d6881e65cb3188d459a2025-02-09T12:21:48ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092022-11-0123411210.4209/aaqr.220057Evaluation of the Microbiota and Integrity of Respirators Reused by Health Professionals in a Hospital EnvironmentJosé D. Paiva0Giselda Neves1Paulo C. Neto2Wanuska Portugal3Douglas Ferreira4Fernando Lundgren5Idalina Cambuim6Ana C. Paiva7Elvis França8Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pernambuco–IFPEFederal University of Pernambuco—UFPEFederal University of Pernambuco—UFPEFederal University of Pernambuco—UFPEBrazilian University Center—UNIBRAOtávio de Freitas Hospital—HOFOtávio de Freitas Hospital—HOFRegional Center for Nuclear Sciences of the Northeast, National Nuclear Energy Commission—CRCN-NE/CNENRegional Center for Nuclear Sciences of the Northeast, National Nuclear Energy Commission—CRCN-NE/CNENAbstract The shortage of PFF2, N95, and KN95 respirators and their equivalents for the respiratory protection of the population and health professionals during COVID-19 pandemic has driven the adoption of alternative measures to address the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). The use of surgical masks, handmade masks, and even the prolonged use of respirators were some of the measures adopted in response to the high demand for these products, and their consequent shortage. In this context, the present study evaluated the microbiota and integrity of reused PFF2 respirators in the central sterile services department of a hospital. Respirators that had been used for 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h were sampled for the inoculation and cultivation of fungi and bacteria and the identification of their microbiota. To assess the integrity of the respirators, a filtration efficiency assessment test was conducted of the respirators used for 36 h. The results obtained showed that the microbiota of the respirators comprised commensal fungi and bacteria from the oral and nasal regions of human beings. It was also found that after 36 h of use, the respirators did not demonstrate a decrease in filtration efficiency; that is, they retained their 97% filtration efficiency. Considering the findings regarding the presence and pathogenicity of microorganisms, it is possible that the reuse of respirators for up to 36 h does not harm the health of immunocompetent users. In terms of PPE efficiency, no compromises were evidenced.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220057Respiratory protectionPPEEfficiencyPandemicAerosol |
| spellingShingle | José D. Paiva Giselda Neves Paulo C. Neto Wanuska Portugal Douglas Ferreira Fernando Lundgren Idalina Cambuim Ana C. Paiva Elvis França Evaluation of the Microbiota and Integrity of Respirators Reused by Health Professionals in a Hospital Environment Aerosol and Air Quality Research Respiratory protection PPE Efficiency Pandemic Aerosol |
| title | Evaluation of the Microbiota and Integrity of Respirators Reused by Health Professionals in a Hospital Environment |
| title_full | Evaluation of the Microbiota and Integrity of Respirators Reused by Health Professionals in a Hospital Environment |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of the Microbiota and Integrity of Respirators Reused by Health Professionals in a Hospital Environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of the Microbiota and Integrity of Respirators Reused by Health Professionals in a Hospital Environment |
| title_short | Evaluation of the Microbiota and Integrity of Respirators Reused by Health Professionals in a Hospital Environment |
| title_sort | evaluation of the microbiota and integrity of respirators reused by health professionals in a hospital environment |
| topic | Respiratory protection PPE Efficiency Pandemic Aerosol |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220057 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT josedpaiva evaluationofthemicrobiotaandintegrityofrespiratorsreusedbyhealthprofessionalsinahospitalenvironment AT giseldaneves evaluationofthemicrobiotaandintegrityofrespiratorsreusedbyhealthprofessionalsinahospitalenvironment AT paulocneto evaluationofthemicrobiotaandintegrityofrespiratorsreusedbyhealthprofessionalsinahospitalenvironment AT wanuskaportugal evaluationofthemicrobiotaandintegrityofrespiratorsreusedbyhealthprofessionalsinahospitalenvironment AT douglasferreira evaluationofthemicrobiotaandintegrityofrespiratorsreusedbyhealthprofessionalsinahospitalenvironment AT fernandolundgren evaluationofthemicrobiotaandintegrityofrespiratorsreusedbyhealthprofessionalsinahospitalenvironment AT idalinacambuim evaluationofthemicrobiotaandintegrityofrespiratorsreusedbyhealthprofessionalsinahospitalenvironment AT anacpaiva evaluationofthemicrobiotaandintegrityofrespiratorsreusedbyhealthprofessionalsinahospitalenvironment AT elvisfranca evaluationofthemicrobiotaandintegrityofrespiratorsreusedbyhealthprofessionalsinahospitalenvironment |