Open AccessAn Emergency Powered Air-Purifying Respirator From Local Materials and its Efficacy Against Aerosolized Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Jeff Kessel,
Christopher S. Saevig,
W. Cary Hill,
Benjamin Kessel,
Matthew S. Hull
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
inquiry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1945-7243
pISSN - 0046-9580
DOI - 10.1177/00469580221087837
Subject(s) - respirator , aerosolization , covid-19 , pandemic , medical emergency , health care , environmental science , medicine , waste management , materials science , virology , engineering , inhalation , anesthesia , composite material , political science , disease , pathology , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
We describe an approach used by a rural healthcare provider to convert surgical helmets into emergency powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach uses common materials and efficacy was demonstrated against aerosols measuring 7 nm to 25 μm in diameter.