Evaluation of the protective performance of a positive pressure bio-protective clothing against viral aerosol
Li, N.; Wen, Z-bo.; Yang, W-hui.; Wang, J.; Li, J-song.; Hu, L-fei.; Dong, X-kai.; Liu, K-yang.; Cao, J.
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 46(1): 67-69
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9624 PMID: 22490144 Document Number: 660275
To evaluate the protective performance of a positive pressure bio-protective clothing against viral aerosol. The suspension of indicating virus phage Phi-X174 was made for viral aerosol generating in a hermetic cabin. The diameter of viral aerosol particles were measured with a aerodynamics size analyzer. By adjusting the inner humidity of the cabin, the protective efficiency of the positive pressure bio-protective clothing against viral aerosol in high and low windshield conditions was determined with Andersen six-stage air sampler sampling and plage forming unit (PFU) counting, respectively. The mass median diameter of Phage Phi-X174 aerosol particles was about 0.922 µm and the background concentration is beyond 2 × 10⁴ particles/m³. The protective efficiency of the clothing against phage Phi-X174 aerosol particles was above 99.9% under different test conditions with the range of viral aerosol concentration between 0 - 23 PFU/m³. Airflow (P = 0.84), environment humidity conditions (P = 0.33) and sampling time (P = 0.07) did not affect the protective efficiency statistically. The positive pressure bio-protective clothing provided a relatively high efficiency against phage Phi-X174 aerosol regardless of airflow rate, environment humidity and sampling time.