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Published in Robert N. Phalen, Howard I. Maibach, Protective Gloves for Occupational Use, 2023
R.N. Phalen, J-M. Lachapelle, Y.K. Hamidi
The CDC has continued to update its “Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators,” which specifies guidelines on the limited reuse of N95 respirators during known shortages.2 It includes the following recommendations for users:Consult with the manufacturer regarding the maximum number of reuse and donning activities that can be performed with its N95 respirator. Redonning an N95 respirator could reduce its fit and effectiveness.As a default, the CDC recommends that N95 respirators not be reused or redonned more than five times. A proper pre-use inspection and user seal check should occur prior to each reuse.Protect against contamination by wearing a face shield or face mask over the N95 respirator.As a limited reuse strategy, rotate products to reduce the risk of self-contamination between uses. The CDC recommends rotating N95 respirators with at least 72 hours of storage in a breathable paper bag before reuse. This recommendation is based on evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus would no longer be viable after this time has elapsed. However, as the CDC acknowledges, evidence in the peer-reviewed literature suggests a storage time of seven days may be more appropriate.4When a shortage exists and rotation is not feasible, seek proper decontamination methods. The CDC first recommends consulting the manufacturer or third-party expert organizations or laboratories for information on how to decontaminate the specific N95 respirator without affecting its performance. In the absence of these guidelines, the decontamination strategies recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) include ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, vaporous hydrogen peroxide, and moist heat. This chapter provides additional details on the decontamination of N95 respirators.
From containment to harm reduction from SARS-CoV-2: a fabric mask for enhanced effectiveness, comfort, and compliance
Published in The Journal of The Textile Institute, 2021
Sungmee Park, Sundaresan Jayaraman
An N95 respirator is a nonwoven structure in which the polypropylene filtering layer holds electrostatic charge, which aids in trapping the virus and wicking away the moisture in the exhaled breath and thereby drying quickly (Institute of Medicine, 2006). Another important factor that ensures the efficacy of the N95 respirator is its “fit” on the wearer’s face and hence the absence of leakage between the face and the respirator when donned. Users are “fit-tested” annually to ensure that the respirator continues to fit the wearer properly (Summary of Respirator Fit Test Requirements). Moreover, the molded shape of the respirator provides “room” between the mouth and the surface of the respirator; this means the lips/tongue do not touch the device when the wearer is speaking – a very important consideration from the viewpoint of usability of the respirator.
Medical textiles
Published in Textile Progress, 2020
During the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, contradictory recommendations were given by leading authorities. The WHO recommended the use of surgical masks [530] whereas the US National Academy of Sciences recommended N95 respirator masks (see Table 1 for differences between the masks} [531, 532]. In 2020, for the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States recommended that those coming into contact with patients in a healthcare setting should use an N95 respirator. In Europe, the N95 respirator has not been tested against European Standards and does not carry CE approval. The WHO recommends an FFP2 mask or respirator, whilst in the UK the recommendation is to use an FRSM (Fluid-Resistant Surgical Mask) in the lower risk environments but an FFP3 respirator in high-risk situations, unless there is shortage in supply in which case, according to the UK Health and Safety Executive, an FFP2 can be used instead of an FFP3; apparently, such judgements must always be based on a risk assessment rather than the hazard [478] whereas the Guidance from America’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were that judgements on the protection to use should be based on a hazard analysis [533]. It would seem reasonable to suggest that, rather than pedantically abiding by just one or the other, organisations such as the HSE and OSHA should recommend using both risk and hazard analysis.
Personal protective equipments (PPEs) for COVID-19: a product lifecycle perspective
Published in International Journal of Production Research, 2022
Shubhendu Kumar Singh, Raj Pradip Khawale, Haiyong Chen, Haolong Zhang, Rahul Rai
Respirators are fabricated using meltdown non-woven fabric. The non-woven fabric is made by extruding propylene fibers onto a conveyor. The extruded fiber layers cool down to form the material, which is needled together with a prefiltration layer. Non-woven protective coatings cover the mask from inside and outside. Afterward, these masks are sterilised. These respiratory face masks are then passed through a series of tests, including particle filtration efficiency, bacteria filtration efficiency, breathing and splash resistance, and flammability. One of the most effective respirators in use during the COVID-19 pandemic is the N95 respirator. N95 has comparatively higher particle filtration abilities and thus provides an effective barrier against the viruses and bacteria.