Aspects of tests and assessment of filtering materials used for respiratory protection against bioaerosols. Part II: sweat in the environment, microorganisms in the form of a bioaerosol

Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2010;16(2):275-80. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2010.11076844.

Abstract

The second part of the article presents the results of a study of antimicrobial activity of filter nonwovens with an addition of biocides, as a function of the presence of sweat in the environment and the method of microbe deposition on a nonwoven in the form of a liquid and a bioaerosol. At the same time, the filtration efficiency of nonwovens against microorganisms in the form of a bioaerosol was tested with the dynamic method. The results showed that the addition of sweat on the surface of a nonwoven resulted in an insignificant decrease of biological activity that still remained high. Moreover, an active nonwoven showed biostatic and biocidal activity only when microbes were deposited on the surface in the form of a solution. The nonwoven did not show any biological activity after deposition of microorganisms with the dynamical method in the form of a bioaerosol.

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Disinfection / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Failure Analysis*
  • Humans
  • Micropore Filters / microbiology*
  • Respiratory Protective Devices / microbiology*
  • Sweating

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents