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Effectiveness of Selected Surgical Masks in Arresting Vegetative Cells and Endospores When Worn by Simulated Contagious Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Christopher F. Green ,
Craig S. Davidson ,
Adelisa L. Panlilio ,
Paul A. Jensen ,
Yan Jin ,
Shawn G. Gibbs  and
Pasquale V. Scarpino
Christopher F. Green
Affiliation:
Science, Math, and Engineering Division, University of Cincinnati Clermont College, Batavia, Ohio
Craig S. Davidson
Affiliation:
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Adelisa L. Panlilio
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Paul A. Jensen
Affiliation:
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Yan Jin
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Shawn G. Gibbs*
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health, Omaha, Nebraska
Pasquale V. Scarpino
Affiliation:
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
*
Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, 985110 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 (sgibbs@unmc.edu)
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Abstract

Objective.

The objective of this study was to quantify the effectiveness of selected surgical masks in arresting vegetative cells and endospores in an experimental model that simulated contagious patients.

Setting.

Laboratory.

Methods.

Five commercially available surgical masks were tested for their ability to arrest infectious agents. Surgical masks were placed over the nose and mouth of mannequin head forms (Simulaids adult model Brad CPR torso). The mannequins were retrofitted with a nebulizer attached to an automated breathing simulator calibrated to a tidal volume of 500 mL/breath and a breathing rate of 20 breaths/min, for a minute respiratory volume of 10 L/min. Aerosols of endospores or vegetative cells were generated with a modified microbiological research establishment-type 6-jet collision nebulizer, while air samples were taken with all-glass impinger (AGI-30) samplers downstream of the point source. All experiments were conducted in a horizontal bioaerosol chamber.

Results.

Mean arrestance of bioaerosols by the surgical masks ranged from 48% to 68% when the masks were challenged with endospores and from 66% to 76% when they were challenged with vegetative cells. When the arrestance of endospores was evaluated, statistical differences were observed between some pairs, though not all, of the models evaluated. There were no statistically significant differences in arrestance observed between models of surgical masks challenged with vegetative cells.

Conclusions.

The arrestance of airborne vegetative cells and endospores by surgical masks worn by simulated contagious patients supports surgical mask use as one of the recommended cough etiquette interventions to limit the transmission of airborne infectious agents.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 33 , Issue 5 , May 2012 , pp. 487 - 494
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2012

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