Abstract: Background: The microbial contamination of a respirator can be evaluated through a count of the number of bacteria living on a non-sterilized surface (bioburden). This preliminary study investigated the external contamination of two different FFP2s over time by studying the bioburden values in increasing exposure times. Methods: FFP2 respirators of two different brands were used during routine clinical settings and examined through the bioburden test; for each brand, three devices were tested at 8, 16, and 30 h. Results: No significant differences were observed between mask brands (p = 0.113). There were only significant CFU differences between each mask and its control (p = 0.027 and p = 0.004). Conclusions: Both brands of respirators were found to be contaminated and this contamination increased with the increase in exposure time. Further studies are needed to investigate the exact amount of contamination that could be considered acceptable before discarding each used mask.

Checchi, V., Montevecchi, M., Valeriani, L., Checchi, L. (2022). Bioburden Variation of Filtering Face Piece Respirators over Time: A Preliminary Study. MATERIALS, 15(24), 1-9 [10.3390/ma15248790].

Bioburden Variation of Filtering Face Piece Respirators over Time: A Preliminary Study

Checchi, Vittorio
Primo
Investigation
;
Montevecchi, Marco
Secondo
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
Valeriani, Leoluca
Penultimo
Writing – Review & Editing
;
Checchi, Luigi
Ultimo
Conceptualization
2022

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The microbial contamination of a respirator can be evaluated through a count of the number of bacteria living on a non-sterilized surface (bioburden). This preliminary study investigated the external contamination of two different FFP2s over time by studying the bioburden values in increasing exposure times. Methods: FFP2 respirators of two different brands were used during routine clinical settings and examined through the bioburden test; for each brand, three devices were tested at 8, 16, and 30 h. Results: No significant differences were observed between mask brands (p = 0.113). There were only significant CFU differences between each mask and its control (p = 0.027 and p = 0.004). Conclusions: Both brands of respirators were found to be contaminated and this contamination increased with the increase in exposure time. Further studies are needed to investigate the exact amount of contamination that could be considered acceptable before discarding each used mask.
2022
Checchi, V., Montevecchi, M., Valeriani, L., Checchi, L. (2022). Bioburden Variation of Filtering Face Piece Respirators over Time: A Preliminary Study. MATERIALS, 15(24), 1-9 [10.3390/ma15248790].
Checchi, Vittorio; Montevecchi, Marco; Valeriani, Leoluca; Checchi, Luigi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/909963
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