Open AccessEvaluation of filtering facepiece respirators using chemical decontamination methods
Author(s) -
Baderin Osman,
Haalah Mahmud,
Hussin Mamat
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/1109/1/012063
Subject(s) - human decontamination , respirator , aerosol , isopropyl alcohol , environmental science , materials science , waste management , chemistry , chemical engineering , engineering , composite material , organic chemistry
Disposable filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are often recommended for use by healthcare workers and the general public for infection control. During pandemic, shortage in supply of FFRs is reported due to excessive demand. Hence, suitable decontamination methods of used FFRs are required to be identified. Various chemical decontamination methods (isopropyl alcohol (IPA), vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) and detergent) have been explored in the present study. The performance of the FFRs after exposed to three types of chemical decontamination methods was evaluated based on average aerosol penetration and average filter resistance values. Face mask type N95 and KN95 with four different models were used in the study. Based on the normalized data for filter aerosol penetration of the three decontamination methods, VHP is recommended to be used for decontamination methods for FFRs. Model 3 FFRs showed good performance where less deviation in the normalized filter aerosol penetration and normalized filter air flow resistance for the three decontamination methods was observed.