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In vivo protective performance of N95 respirator and surgical facemask.
Am J Ind Med. 2006 Dec; 49(12):1056-65.AJ

Abstract

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+Show Affiliations

Li Y
Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. tcliyi@polyu.edu.hk
Wong T
No affiliation info available
Chung J
No affiliation info available
Guo YP
No affiliation info available
Hu JY
No affiliation info available
Guan YT
No affiliation info available
Yao L
No affiliation info available
Song QW
No affiliation info available
Newton E
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AerosolsAir Pollutants, OccupationalFiltrationHealth PersonnelHumansInfection ControlInfluenza, HumanInhalation ExposureMasksNanoparticlesOccupational ExposureParticle SizePermeabilityRespiratory Protective DevicesSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Evaluation Study
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

17096360

Citation

Li, Y, et al. "In Vivo Protective Performance of N95 Respirator and Surgical Facemask." American Journal of Industrial Medicine, vol. 49, no. 12, 2006, pp. 1056-65.
Li Y, Wong T, Chung J, et al. In vivo protective performance of N95 respirator and surgical facemask. Am J Ind Med. 2006;49(12):1056-65.
Li, Y., Wong, T., Chung, J., Guo, Y. P., Hu, J. Y., Guan, Y. T., Yao, L., Song, Q. W., & Newton, E. (2006). In vivo protective performance of N95 respirator and surgical facemask. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 49(12), 1056-65.
Li Y, et al. In Vivo Protective Performance of N95 Respirator and Surgical Facemask. Am J Ind Med. 2006;49(12):1056-65. PubMed PMID: 17096360.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - In vivo protective performance of N95 respirator and surgical facemask. AU - Li,Y, AU - Wong,T, AU - Chung,J, AU - Guo,Y P, AU - Hu,J Y, AU - Guan,Y T, AU - Yao,L, AU - Song,Q W, AU - Newton,E, PY - 2006/11/11/pubmed PY - 2007/2/3/medline PY - 2006/11/11/entrez SP - 1056 EP - 65 JF - American journal of industrial medicine JO - Am J Ind Med VL - 49 IS - 12 N2 - 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. SN - 0271-3586 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/17096360/In_vivo_protective_performance_of_N95_respirator_and_surgical_facemask_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -