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Evaluation of the Survivability of Microorganisms Deposited on Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices under Varying Conditions of Humidity

Author

Listed:
  • Katarzyna Majchrzycka

    (Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection—National Research Institute, Łódź 90-133, Poland)

  • Małgorzata Okrasa

    (Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection—National Research Institute, Łódź 90-133, Poland)

  • Justyna Skóra

    (Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź 90-924, Poland)

  • Beata Gutarowska

    (Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź 90-924, Poland)

Abstract

Bioaerosols are common biological factors in work environments, which require routine use of filtering respiratory protective devices (FRPDs). Currently, no studies link humidity changes in the filter materials of such devices, during use, with microorganism survivability. Our aim was to determine the microclimate inside FRPDs, by simulating breathing, and to evaluate microorganism survivability under varying humidity conditions. Breathing was simulated using commercial filtering facepiece respirators in a model system. Polypropylene melt-blown nonwoven fabrics with moisture contents of 40%, 80%, and 200%, were used for assessment of microorganisms survivability. A modified AATCC 100-2004 method was used to measure the survivability of ATCC and NCAIM microorganisms: Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis , Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger . During simulation relative humidity under the facepiece increased after 7 min of usage to 84%–92% and temperature increased to 29–30 °C. S. aureus survived the best on filter materials with 40%–200% moisture content. A decrease in survivability was observed for E. coli and C. albicans when mass humidity decreased. We found that B. subtilis and A. niger proliferated for 48–72 h of incubation and then died regardless of the moisture content. In conclusion, our tests showed that the survivability of microorganisms on filter materials depends on the amount of accumulated moisture and microorganism type.

Suggested Citation

  • Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Małgorzata Okrasa & Justyna Skóra & Beata Gutarowska, 2016. "Evaluation of the Survivability of Microorganisms Deposited on Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices under Varying Conditions of Humidity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:1:p:98-:d:61643
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Cassandra L. Thiel & Pallavi Sreedhar & Genevieve S. Silva & Hannah C. Greene & Meenakshi Seetharaman & Meghan Durr & Timothy Roberts & Rajesh Vedanthan & Paul H. Lee & Gizely Andrade & Omar El-Shahaw, 2023. "Conservation Practices for Personal Protective Equipment: A Systematic Review with Focus on Lower-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Sang Bin Jeong & Ki Joon Heo & Byung Uk Lee, 2019. "Antimicrobial Air Filters Using Natural Sea Salt Particles for Deactivating Airborne Bacterial Particles," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Justyna Szulc & Anna Otlewska & Małgorzata Okrasa & Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Michael Sulyok & Beata Gutarowska, 2017. "Microbiological Contamination at Workplaces in a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Station Processing Plant Biomass," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, January.
    4. Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Małgorzata Okrasa & Justyna Szulc & Anita Jachowicz & Beata Gutarowska, 2019. "Survival of Microorganisms on Nonwovens Used for the Construction of Filtering Facepiece Respirators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-11, March.
    5. Anita Jachowicz & Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Justyna Szulc & Małgorzata Okrasa & Beata Gutarowska, 2019. "Survival of Microorganisms on Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices Used at Agricultural Facilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-19, August.
    6. Carla Viegas & Bianca Gomes & Filipe Oliveira & Marta Dias & Renata Cervantes & Pedro Pena & Anita Quintal Gomes & Liliana Aranha Caetano & Elisabete Carolino & Ednilton Tavares de Andrade & Susana Vi, 2022. "Microbial Contamination in the Coffee Industry: An Occupational Menace besides a Food Safety Concern?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-18, October.
    7. Małgorzata Okrasa & Jörn Hitz & Aleksandra Nowak & Agnieszka Brochocka & Christoph Thelen & Zbigniew Walczak, 2019. "Adsorption Performance of Activated-Carbon-Loaded Nonwoven Filters Used in Filtering Facepiece Respirators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-16, June.
    8. Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Małgorzata Okrasa & Anita Jachowicz & Justyna Szulc & Beata Gutarowska, 2018. "Microbial Growth on Dust-Loaded Filtering Materials Used for the Protection of Respiratory Tract as a Factor Affecting Filtration Efficiency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, September.

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