Reaerosolization of MS2 bacteriophage from an N95 filtering facepiece respirator by simulated coughing

Details

• Personal Author:
  Fisher EM ; Harpest SD ; Hofacre KC ; Richardson AW ; Shaffer RE
• Description:
  The supply of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) may not be adequate to match demand during a pandemic outbreak. One possible strategy to maintain supplies in healthcare settings is to extend FFR use for multiple patient encounters; however, contaminated FFRs may serve as a source for the airborne transmission of virus particles. In this study, reaerosolization of virus particles from contaminated FFRs was examined using bacteriophage MS2 as a surrogate for airborne pathogenic viruses. MS2 was applied to FFRs as droplets or droplet nuclei. A simulated cough (370 l min(-1) peak flow) provided reverse airflow through the contaminated FFR. The number and size of the reaerosolized particles were measured using gelatin filters and an Andersen Cascade Impactor (ACI). Two droplet nuclei challenges produced higher percentages of reaerosolized particles (0.21 and 0.08%) than a droplet challenge (<0.0001%). Overall, the ACI-determined size distribution of the reaerosolized particles was larger than the characterized loading virus aerosol. This study demonstrates that only a small percentage of viable MS2 viruses was reaerosolized from FFRs by reverse airflow under the conditions evaluated, suggesting that the risks of exposure due to reaerosolization associated with extended use can be considered negligible for most respiratory viruses. However, risk assessments should be updated as new viruses emerge and better workplace exposure data becomes available. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Air Pollutants, Occupational Communicable Diseases Lung Occupational Health Particulate Matter Respiratory Protective Devices Respiratory System Safety Viral Diseases
• Keywords:
  Aerosol Particles Airborne Particles Author Keywords: Infection Control Infection Control Infectious Diseases Influenza Transmission Particulates Pulmonary System Respirators Respiratory Equipment Respiratory Protection Respiratory Protective Equipment Viral Diseases Viral Infections

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• ISSN:
  0003-4878
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  NPPTL - National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  315-325
• Volume:
  56
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20040028
• Citation:
  Ann Occup Hyg 2012 Apr; 56(3):315-325
• Contact Point Address:
  Edward M. Fisher, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
• Email:
  RShaffer@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Annals of Occupational Hygiene
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:feadedd63bc9a060b565d94cb70366a0aea598d4d1079c118bd38af82f557dc5af16b0c2ace6d1a687529596ea1a1f2cb527f6658a46c95bc03cf62503ac8ceb
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/193033/cdc_193033_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 377.81 KB ]