Evaluation of the survivability of MS2 viral aerosols deposited on filtering face piece respirator samples incorporating antimicrobial technologies
published online 06 November 2009.
Background
Respiratory protective devices exposed to pathogenic microorganisms present a potential source of transmission of infection during handling. In this study, the efficacy of 4 antimicrobial respirators to decontaminate MS2, a surrogate for pathogenic viruses, was evaluated and compared with control N95 filtering face piece respirators, which did not contain any known antimicrobial components.
Methods
MS2 containing droplet nuclei were generated using a Collison nebulizer and loaded onto respirator coupons at a face velocity of 13.2cm/seconds for 30minutes. The coupons were incubated at 2 different temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions and analyzed for viable MS2 at different time intervals.
Results
Results showed that log10 reduction of MS2 was not statistically significant (P > .05) between the control and antimicrobial respirator coupons, when stored at 22°C and 30% RH up to 20hours. Coupons from 1 of the 4 antimicrobial respirators showed an average MS2log10 reduction of 3.7 at 37°C and 80% RH for 4hours, which was statistically significant (P ≤ .05) compared with coupons from the control respirators.
Conclusion
Results from this study suggest that MS2 virus decontamination efficacy of antimicrobial respirators is dependent on the antimicrobial agent and storage conditions.
Address correspondence to Ronald E. Shaffer, PhD, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, 626 Cochrans Mill Rd, PO Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA 15236.
Supported by NIOSH funding CAN No. 921 Z6PT.
Mention of commercial product or trade name does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The findings and conclusions of this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
ABSTRACT