Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment Using Low-cost Aerosol Monitors
Abstract Rapid, low-cost evaluation of personal protective equipment (PPE) is important for providing widespread and easy-to-access testing of aerosols through and round masks and shields. Most related literature has focused on how well PPE protects the wearer, not reducing aerosol transmission to t...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.230323 |
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| _version_ | 1823862862877032448 |
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| author | Alberto Baldelli Andrew Poznikoff Kevin Heieis Robert Purdy |
| author_facet | Alberto Baldelli Andrew Poznikoff Kevin Heieis Robert Purdy |
| author_sort | Alberto Baldelli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Rapid, low-cost evaluation of personal protective equipment (PPE) is important for providing widespread and easy-to-access testing of aerosols through and round masks and shields. Most related literature has focused on how well PPE protects the wearer, not reducing aerosol transmission to the environment. Few studies have compared the efficacy for particle escape at exhalation or inhalation of face masks and face shields. Measurements of particulate matter escaping through PPE could provide information regarding the efficacy on the wearer and on the surrounding of the PPE and guide the selection of appropriate PPE to wear in different conditions. Research grade particle technology devices are not widely available. Low-cost options which are simple to use may provide a practical alternative. In this study, we measured particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) emitted by a manikin placed upright at the head of a stretcher. Measurements were made using three low-cost sensors and an Optical Particle Sizer (OPS) at distances of 2, 4, and 6 feet repeated at 0, 45, and 90°, given at a horizontal plane, with respect to the mannikin. The low-cost sensors correlated well with the OPS used as a reference method and may provide a simple, low-cost, widely available alternative. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fe4f6c2ea9964b4d8d197cf65ef07585 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-fe4f6c2ea9964b4d8d197cf65ef075852025-02-09T12:23:44ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092024-03-0124611010.4209/aaqr.230323Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment Using Low-cost Aerosol MonitorsAlberto Baldelli0Andrew Poznikoff1Kevin Heieis2Robert Purdy3BC Children’s Hospital Research InstituteBC Children’s Hospital Research InstituteBC Children’s Hospital Research InstituteBC Children’s Hospital Research InstituteAbstract Rapid, low-cost evaluation of personal protective equipment (PPE) is important for providing widespread and easy-to-access testing of aerosols through and round masks and shields. Most related literature has focused on how well PPE protects the wearer, not reducing aerosol transmission to the environment. Few studies have compared the efficacy for particle escape at exhalation or inhalation of face masks and face shields. Measurements of particulate matter escaping through PPE could provide information regarding the efficacy on the wearer and on the surrounding of the PPE and guide the selection of appropriate PPE to wear in different conditions. Research grade particle technology devices are not widely available. Low-cost options which are simple to use may provide a practical alternative. In this study, we measured particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) emitted by a manikin placed upright at the head of a stretcher. Measurements were made using three low-cost sensors and an Optical Particle Sizer (OPS) at distances of 2, 4, and 6 feet repeated at 0, 45, and 90°, given at a horizontal plane, with respect to the mannikin. The low-cost sensors correlated well with the OPS used as a reference method and may provide a simple, low-cost, widely available alternative.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.230323Face masksFace shieldsAerosolParticulate matterSocial distancingCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Alberto Baldelli Andrew Poznikoff Kevin Heieis Robert Purdy Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment Using Low-cost Aerosol Monitors Aerosol and Air Quality Research Face masks Face shields Aerosol Particulate matter Social distancing COVID-19 |
| title | Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment Using Low-cost Aerosol Monitors |
| title_full | Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment Using Low-cost Aerosol Monitors |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment Using Low-cost Aerosol Monitors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment Using Low-cost Aerosol Monitors |
| title_short | Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment Using Low-cost Aerosol Monitors |
| title_sort | evaluation of personal protective equipment using low cost aerosol monitors |
| topic | Face masks Face shields Aerosol Particulate matter Social distancing COVID-19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.230323 |
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