BACKGROUND: The SARS outbreak in 2003 has spawned a major controversy concerning protective performance facemasks for healthcare workers. This study reports a study on in-vivo protective performance of surgical masks and N95 respirators. METHODS: Typical surgical masks and N95 respirators used in Hong Kong hospitals were tested in comparison with those treated with nano-functional materials (called nano-masks) on various physical properties and in-vivo wear filtration efficiency, as well as usability test in hospitals for surgical masks. RESULTS: Tests on physical properties showed that N95 respirators had significantly lower air permeability and water vapor permeability than surgical masks. The in-vivo filtration tests illustrated that N95 respirators filtered out 97% of potassium chloride (KCl) solution, while surgical masks filtered out 95% of KCl solution. Nano-masks show stronger water repellency and antibacterial activities, but no difference in usability, comparing with normal N95 and surgical masks. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical masks can provide in-vivo filtration protection of 95% filtration efficiency. N95 respirators provide higher in-vivo filtration efficiency of 97% with significant reduction of air permeability and water vapor permeability. Compared to normal surgical masks/respirators, the nano-masks can provide additional protective functions in stopping capillary diffusion and antibacterial activities.
BACKGROUND: The SARS outbreak in 2003 has spawned a major controversy concerning protective performance facemasks for healthcare workers. This study reports a study on in-vivo protective performance of surgical masks and N95 respirators. METHODS: Typical surgical masks and N95 respirators used in Hong Kong hospitals were tested in comparison with those treated with nano-functional materials (called nano-masks) on various physical properties and in-vivo wear filtration efficiency, as well as usability test in hospitals for surgical masks. RESULTS: Tests on physical properties showed that N95 respirators had significantly lower air permeability and water vapor permeability than surgical masks. The in-vivo filtration tests illustrated that N95 respirators filtered out 97% of potassium chloride (KCl) solution, while surgical masks filtered out 95% of KCl solution. Nano-masks show stronger water repellency and antibacterial activities, but no difference in usability, comparing with normal N95 and surgical masks. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical masks can provide in-vivo filtration protection of 95% filtration efficiency. N95 respirators provide higher in-vivo filtration efficiency of 97% with significant reduction of air permeability and water vapor permeability. Compared to normal surgical masks/respirators, the nano-masks can provide additional protective functions in stopping capillary diffusion and antibacterial activities.
Authors: Jeffrey D Smith; Colin C MacDougall; Jennie Johnstone; Ray A Copes; Brian Schwartz; Gary E Garber Journal: CMAJ Date: 2016-03-07 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: F Chiappa; B Frascella; G P Vigezzi; M Moro; L Diamanti; L Gentile; P Lago; N Clementi; C Signorelli; N Mancini; A Odone Journal: J Hosp Infect Date: 2021-05-21 Impact factor: 3.926
Authors: C Raina MacIntyre; Holly Seale; Tham Chi Dung; Nguyen Tran Hien; Phan Thi Nga; Abrar Ahmad Chughtai; Bayzidur Rahman; Dominic E Dwyer; Quanyi Wang Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2015-04-22 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Daniel L Chao; Jayanth Sridhar; Ajay E Kuriyan; Theodore Leng; Brad P Barnett; Aaron F Carlin; Charles C Wykoff; Stephen Gayer; Prithvi Mruthyunjaya; Yoshihiro Yonekawa; Amani A Fawzi; Audina M Berrocal; Steven Yeh; Daniel Ting; Yasha Modi; David N Zacks; Nicholas Yannuzzi; Natalie A Afshari; Timothy Murray Journal: J Vitreoretin Dis Date: 2020-07-27