Evanly Vo

Development of a Test System To Apply Virus-Containing Particles to Filtering Facepiece Respirators for the Evaluation of Decontamination Procedures

ABSTRACT A chamber to apply aerosolized virus-containing particles to air-permeable substrates (coupons) was constructed and validated as part of a method to assess the virucidal efficacy of decontamination procedures for filtering facepiece respirators. Coliphage MS2 was used as a surrogate for pathogenic viruses for confirmation of the efficacy of the bioaerosol respirator test system. The distribution of virus applied onto and within the coupons was characterized, and the repeatability of applying a targeted virus load was examined. The average viable virus loaded onto 90 coupons over the course of 5 days was found to be 5.09 ± 0.19 log10 PFU/coupon (relative standard deviation, 4%). To determine the ability to differentiate the effectiveness of disinfecting procedures with different levels of performance, sodium hypochlorite and steam treatments were tested in experiments by varying the dose and time, respectively. The role of protective factors was assessed by aerosolizing the virus with various concentrations of the aerosol-generating medium. A sodium hypochlorite (bleach) concentration of 0.6% and steam treatments of 45 s and longer resulted in log reductions (>4 logs) which reached the detection limits for both levels of protective factors. Organic matter (ATCC medium 271) as a protective factor afforded some protection to the virus in the sodium hypochlorite experiments but was not a factor in the steam experiments. The evaluation of the bioaerosol respirator test system demonstrated a repeatable method for applying a targeted viral load onto respirator coupons and provided insight into the properties of aerosols that are of importance to the development of disinfection assays for air-permeable materials.

Development of a Test System To Evaluate Procedures for Decontamination of Respirators Containing Viral Droplets

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to develop a test system to evaluate the effectiveness of procedures for decontamination of respirators contaminated with viral droplets. MS2 coliphage was used as a surrogate for pathogenic viruses. A viral droplet test system was constructed, and the size distribution of viral droplets loaded directly onto respirators was characterized using an aerodynamic particle sizer. The sizes ranged from 0.5 to 15 μm, and the sizes of the majority of the droplets were the range from 0.74 to 3.5 μm. The results also showed that the droplet test system generated similar droplet concentrations (particle counts) at different respirator locations. The test system was validated by studying the relative efficiencies of decontamination of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and UV irradiation with droplets containing MS2 virus on filtering facepiece respirators. It was hypothesized that more potent decontamination treatments would result in corresponding larger decreases in the number of viable viruses recovered from the respirators. Sodium hypochlorite doses of 2.75 to 5.50 mg/liter with a 10-min decontamination period resulted in approximately 3- to 4-log reductions in the level of MS2 coliphage. When higher sodium hypochlorite doses (≥8.25 mg/liter) were used with the same contact time that was used for the dilute solutions containing 2.75 to 5.50 mg/liter, all MS2 was inactivated. For UV decontamination at a wavelength of 254 nm, an approximately 3-log reduction in the level of MS2 virus was achieved with dose of 4.32 J/cm2 (3 h of contact time with a UV intensity of 0.4 mW/cm2), while with higher doses of UV irradiation (≥7.20 J/cm2; UV intensity, 0.4 mW/cm2; contact times, ≥5 h), all MS2 was inactivated. These findings may lead to development of a standard method to test decontamination of respirators challenged by viral droplets.

The Use of 3M Porous Polymer Extraction Discs in Assessing Protective Clothing Chemical Permeation

The aim of the study was to assess the use of 3M porous polymer extraction discs (3M Empore sorbent filters) for detection of chemical permeation of protective clothing. Analysis of some commonly used solvents on 3M Empore sorbent filters was performed for methanol, acetone, trichloroethylene (TriCE), and toluene by solvent desorption and gas chromatography. All solvents exhibited >98 percent adsorption on the filters at a spiking level of 1.8 microL for each solvent. Solvent recovery for the system was calculated for each solvent, ranging from 72-94 percent (RSD < or = 4.0%) for all solvents over the spiking range 0.2-1.8 microL. The modified ASTM F739 method was used to determine breakthrough times for five protective glove materials (polyvinyl chloride, natural rubber, polymerized alkene, nitrile, and nitrile butyl rubber) using the model solvents as test chemicals. Breakthrough times for each type of protective glove were determined, and found to range from 36 s to 9 min for acetone, from 142 s to 52 min for methanol, from 18 s to 12 min for TriCE, and from 32 s to 28 min for toluene. The quantitative mass of the solvents on the filters at the time of breakthrough detection ranged from 150-159, 157-166, 570-581, and 371-382 microg/cm2 for acetone, methanol, TriCE, and toluene, respectively. The sorbent filter should find utility in collecting chemical permeation samples through protective gloves in both laboratory and field studies for quantitative analysis.

A Quantitative Study of Aromatic Amine Permeation Through Protective Gloves Using Amine Adsorptive Pads

A quantitative study of aromatic amine permeation through a glove material using Permea-Tec aromatic amine pads, used for the detection of chemical breakthrough of protective clothing, was performed for aniline following the microwave extraction process and gas chromatographic analysis. Aniline exhibited >99% adsorption on the pads at a spiking level of 1.94 mg (1.9 microL). Aniline showed recoveries from 65 to 89% (RSD < or =5.6%) over the range 1.1-1.9 microL (1.12-1.94 mg) of aniline applied to pads. The modified ASTM F739 and direct permeability testing procedures were used to determine breakthrough times for five protective glove materials using aniline as a challenge chemical. Breakthrough times for six protective gloves were determined, ranging from 182 sec to 82 min. The quantitative concentration of aniline on the pads following permeation through the gloves also was determined, ranging from 0.53 to 0.55 mg/cm2 (1.79-1.88 mg/pad).

Recovery of some common solvents from protective clothing breakthrough indicator pads by microwave–solvent extraction and gas chromatography

The efficiency of solvent adsorption using Permea-Tec general solvent pads, used for the detection of chemical breakthrough of protective clothing, was determined for methanol, acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, trichloroethylene (TriCE), tetrachloroethylene (TetCE), toluene, m-xylene, and D-limonene. Known volumes of single or mixed solvents were added to pads in the range 0.2-5.0 microliters (0.16-8.13 micrograms). After microwave-solvent extraction (ME) into hexan-1-ol, the samples (0.5-3.0 microliters) of the filtered and extracted solutions were analyzed by gas chromatography. All solvents exhibited > 97% adsorption on the pads at spiking levels of 0.48-0.98 microgram for each solvent. The solvent recovery for the system was calculated for each solvent, with solvents with boiling points below 110 degrees C showing recoveries of > 90%, and with solvents with boiling points above 110 degrees C showing recoveries from 80 to 90%. The recovery precision was good (RSD < or = 4%) for all solvents over the range 1.0-2.5 microliters of applied solvents to pads for ME and 1.0 microliter of extracted solutions for GC analysis.

Measurement of Mass-Based Carbon Nanotube Penetration through Filtering Facepiece Respirator Filtering Media

Recent studies suggest that a wide range of human health effects could result from exposure to carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health survey of the carbonaceous nanomaterial industry found that 77% of the companies used respiratory protection, such as filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). Despite CNT studies in some occupational settings being reported, the literature for mass-based penetration of CNTs through FFRs is lacking. The aim of this study was to conduct a quantitative study of single-walled CNT (SWCNT) and multiwalled CNT (MWCNT) penetration through FFRs. A CNT aerosol respirator testing system was used to generate charge-neutralized airborne SWCNTs and MWCNTs for this study. The size distribution was 20-10000 nm, with 99% of the particles between 25 and 2840 nm. Mass median diameters were 598 and 634 nm with geometric standard deviations of 1.34 and 1.48 for SWCNTs and MWCNTs, respectively. Upstream and downstream CNTs were collected simultaneously using closed-face 3.7-cm-diameter filter cassettes. These samples were subsequently analyzed for organic carbon and elemental carbon (EC), with EC as a measure of mass-based CNTs. The mass-based penetration of SWCNTs and MWCNTs through six FFR models at constant flow rates of 30 l min(-1) (LPM) was determined. Generally, the penetrations of SWCNTs and MWCNTs at 30 LPM had a similar trend and were highest for the N95 FFRs, followed by N99 and P100 FFRs. The mass-based penetration of MWCNTs through six FFR models at two constant flow rates of 30 and 85 LPM was also determined. The penetration of MWCNTs at 85 LPM was greater compared with the values of MWCNTs at 30 LPM.

Development of a novel colorimetric indicator pad for detecting aldehydes

A colorimetric indicator was developed and a colorimetric indicator pad was fabricated for the rapid detection of aldehydes. The detection pad has two sides: an observation side on top and a barrier on the bottom. The top side contains a reagent which reacts directly with aldehydes to produce a color change, while the bottom side is coated with a double-sided plastic tape barrier to prevent the escape of chemicals. Sensitivity of the indicator pads was determined using the vapor sensitive ASTM F739 technique with the presence of the indicator. A significant indicator color change (yellow to red) occurred about 5 min before the infrared analyzer response of the ASTM method. The chemical principle and reaction characterization of the test are described. The stability and potential interferences of the indicator pad were also examined by directly spiking aldehydes and compounds with other functional groups, respectively, onto the indicator pads. The newly developed aldehyde indicator pad should find utility in detecting aldehydes in both liquid and vapor phases and in collecting aldehyde permeation through PPE for further study.

The Thermo-Hand Method: Evaluation of a New Indicator Pad for Acid Permeation of Chemical Protective Gloves

The thermo-hand method was developed to evaluate a new indicator pad for acid permeation through chemical protective gloves under in-use conditions (controlled conditions for the hands skin temperature, hand movements, and relative humidity inside gloves). An indicator pad was used to detect both organic and inorganic acid permeation through glove materials. Breakthrough times for five types of gloves were determined and found to range from 5 to 308 min for propionic acid, from 4 to 293 min for acrylic acid, and from 15 min to >6 hours for HCl. Quantification was performed for propionic and acrylic acids following solvent desorption and gas chromatography. Both acids exhibited >99% adsorption (including the volume of acid, which reacted with an indicator to contribute the color change) on the pads at a spiking level of 1.8 micro L for each acid. Acid recovery for the system was calculated for each acid, with results ranging from 52-72% (RSD < or =4.0%) for both acids over the spiking range 0.2-1.8 micro L. The quantitative mass of the acids on the pads at the time of breakthrough detection ranged from 253-276 and 270-296 micro g/cm(2) for propionic acid and acrylic acid, respectively. The thermo-hand method and a new acid indicator pad together should be useful in detecting, collecting, and quantitatively analyzing acid permeation samples in the workplace.

A new technique to determine organic and inorganic acid contamination

A new acid indicator pad was developed for the detection of acid breakthrough of gloves and chemical protective clothing. The pad carries a reagent which responds to acid contaminant by producing a color change. The pad was used to detect both organic and inorganic acids permeating through glove materials using the modified ASTM F-739 and direct permeability testing procedures. Breakthrough times for each type of glove were determined, and found to range from 4 min to > 4 h for propionic acid, from 3 min to > 4 h for acrylic acid, and from 26 min to > 4 h for HCl. A quantification was performed for propionic and acrylic acids following solvent desorption and gas chromatography. Both acids exhibited > 99% adsorption [the acid and its reactivity (the acid reacted with an indicator to contribute the color change)] on the pads at a spiking level of 1.8 microL for each acid. Acid recovery during quantification was calculated for each acid, ranging from 52-72% (RSD < or = 4.0%) for both acids over the spiking range 0.2-1.8 microL. The quantitative mass of the acids on the pads at the time of breakthrough detection ranged from 260-282 and 270-296 microg cm(-2) for propionic acid and acrylic acid, respectively. The new colorimetric indicator pad should be useful in detecting and collecting acid permeation samples through gloves and chemical protective clothing in both laboratory and field studies, for quantitative analysis.

Determination of alkylamine permeation through protective gloves using aliphatic amine pads

A quantitative study of alkylamine permeation through a glove material using Permea-Tec aliphatic amine pads, used for the detection of chemical breakthrough of protective clothing, was performed for triethylamine following a microwave-extraction process and gas chromatographic analysis. Triethylamine exhibited > 99% adsorption on the pads at a spiking level of 729 ng (1.0 ml). Triethylamine showed recoveries from 63 to 90% (RSD < or = 5%) over the range 0.2-1.0 ml (146-729 ng) applied to pads. The ASTM F739 standard and direct permeability testing procedures were used to determine breakthrough times for five protective glove materials using triethylamine as a challenge chemical. Breakthrough times for six protective gloves were determined ranging from 40 s to > 4 h. The quantitative concentration of triethylamine on the pads following permeation through the gloves was also determined, ranging from 101 to 103 ng cm-2 (382-386 ng per pad).