OBJECTIVE: To compare three sterilizing methods for reusable medical goggles. METHODS: A total of 180 medical goggles of the same brand and same model were randomly divided into three groups. In group A the goggles were first soaked with 2000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant and then cleaned manually; goggles in other two groups were sterilized using pre-programmed automatic spray cleaning and disinfection machine, the disinfection program was set to 90 ℃ for 5 min in group B and 70 ℃ for 30 min in group C. The quality of the sterilization was monitored by visual inspection with luminous magnifying glass and residual protein detection assay. User satisfaction on cleanliness of medical goggles, clarity of mirror surface and suitability of elastic bands was investigated with questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The qualification rates verified by visual inspection were 82.4%, 84.6%and 98.3%in group A, B and C, respectively, the qualification rate in group C was significantly higher than those in group B and group C (all CONCLUSIONS Machinery sterilization set 70 ℃ for 30 min has better cleaning and sterilizing effects for reusable medical goggles.
Eye Protective Devices/standards* ; Sterilization/methods* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to investigate the aspiratory resistance, filtration penetration and their influence factors of N95 filtering-facepiece respirators used widely in China.

METHODSThe total of 6 brands and 21 models of N95 filtering-facepiece respirators which are certified and big sales on the market. The aspiratory resistance and filtration efficiency filter penetration were measured while air pump ran from 10 L/min to 100 L/min using differential pressure gauge and the PortaCount, respectively.

RESULTSThe filtration penetrations for 2 of the 21 models were lower than 95%, and the qualified rate for all models was 90.47%. The filtration penetrations gradually decreased when ventilation flow of air pump increased. The negative correlation was observed between filtration penetration and ventilation flow (r(2) = 0.711, P < 0.05). The resistances of all 21 models of N95 respirators met the requirements of the national standard. The aspiratory resistance started to elevate with the increasing of ventilation flow, and a positive correlation between both (r(2) = 0.878, P < 0.05). Significant differences of filtration penetration and aspiratory resistance were observed among between different brands (P < 0.05) although no differences of filtration penetration existed among different models of one brand (P > 0.05). But the differences of the aspiratory resistance among different models of one brand were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe aspiratory resistances of all N95 filtering-facepiece respirators used in this study met the requirements of the national standard. And the qualified ratio of filtration penetration of all models was higher than 90%. The influencing factors of aspiratory resistance included materials, size and ventilation flow. And influencing factors for filtration penetration were materials and ventilation flow.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; China ; Equipment Design ; Filtration ; instrumentation ; Masks ; standards ; Materials Testing ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; standards

Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; classification ; standards ; utilization ; United States

Recently, the special characteristics of work with SARS require particular attention to the facilities, equipment, policies and procedures involved. In fact, an autopsy also subject prosectors and others to a wide variety of hazards, including bloodborne, aerosolized pathogens and others (for example SARS). Forensic pathologists and other persons in close proximity to an autopsy need personal protective equipment, fourthemore, laboratory procedure and facility design principles of biosafety should be established for the protection of all personnal involved in the work.
Autopsy ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Infection Control/methods* ; Inhalation Exposure/prevention & control* ; Masks/standards* ; Occupational Exposure/prevention & control* ; Protective Clothing/standards* ; Protective Devices/standards* ; Risk Factors ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/transmission*

OBJECTIVETo establish a testing and evaluating method for filtration efficiency of the canister against microbial aerosol.

METHODSSerratia marcescens aerosol served as model of bacterial aerosol, Bacillus subtilis var niger aerosol as model of spores aerosol, bacteriophage f(2) aerosol as model of viral aerosol. Employing the microbial aerosol testing platform was established in lab, models of microbial aerosol generated artificially were sampled quantitatively by air samplers before and after filtrating by canisters, respectively. Filtration efficiency was determined by the concentration of microbial aerosol in the air sample before and after filtrating. The four canisters of 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 were tested for the filtration efficiency against Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis var niger and phage f(2) aerosol. The two canisters of 543 and 544 canisters equipped with active carbon were tested for the filtration efficiencies against Serratia marcescens aerosol.

RESULTSThe filtration efficiency of 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 canisters against Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis var niger and phage f(2) aerosol was 100.000%. The filtration efficiency of 1-4 canister filtration efficiency against Bacillus subtilis var niger spores aerosol was 99.997% and efficiency of the other two aerosol was 100.000%. The filtration efficiency of the two canisters of 543 and 544 to those attached with active carbon against Serratia marcescens aerosol was 100.000%.

CONCLUSIONThe testing method might be used to evaluate the protective performance of the canister against microbiological aerosol. The effect of the canisters (including those equipped with active carbon) against microbiological aerosol should be reliable.

Aerosols ; Air Microbiology ; Bacillus subtilis ; isolation & purification ; Filtration ; methods ; Levivirus ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; standards ; Serratia marcescens ; isolation & purification ; Spores, Bacterial ; isolation & purification