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Light propagation within N95 filtered face respirators: A simulation study for UVC decontamination
Author(s) -
Lilge Lothar,
Manalac Angelica,
Weersink Madrigal,
Schwiegelshohn Fynn,
YoungSchultz Tanner,
Abdalrhman Abdallatif Satti,
Wang Chengjin,
Ngan Aldrich,
Gu Frank X.,
Betz Vaughn,
Hofmann Ron
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of biophotonics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1864-0648
pISSN - 1864-063X
DOI - 10.1002/jbio.202000232
Subject(s) - respirator , face masks , fluence , computer science , covid-19 , materials science , optics , environmental science , physics , laser , medicine , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , composite material
This study presents numerical simulations of UVC light propagation through seven different filtered face respirators (FFR) to determine their suitability for Ultraviolet germicidal inactivation (UVGI). UV propagation was modeled using the FullMonte program for two external light illuminations. The optical properties of the dominant three layers were determined using the inverse adding doubling method. The resulting fluence rate volume histograms and the lowest fluence rate recorded in the modeled volume, sometimes in the nW cm −2 , provide feedback on a respirator's suitability for UVGI and the required exposure time for a given light source. While UVGI can present an economical approach to extend an FFR's useable lifetime, it requires careful optimization of the illumination setup and selection of appropriate respirators.