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D'Ercole S, Parisi P, D'Arcangelo S, Lorusso F, Cellini L, Dotta TC, Di Carmine M, Petrini M, Scarano A, Tripodi D. Correlation between use of different type protective facemasks and the oral ecosystem. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1992. [PMID: 37828542 PMCID: PMC10571399 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16936-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spread worldwide through droplets, the Virus Sars-Cov-19 has caused a global health emergency alarm. In order to limit its spread, the use of masks has become part of the daily life of the entire population, however, little is known about its constant use and the changes generated in the oral cavity. This work aims to investigate correlations between the continuous use of masks covering the nose and mouth for 3 h and changes in the ecological factors of the oral cavity. METHODS 34 volunteers were divided into 2 groups: wear only the filtering facepiece code 2 (FFP2) mask (Group A) and wear the FFP2 mask covered by a surgical mask (Group B). Measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), saliva rehydration and consistency test, collection of basal saliva and saliva stimulated with paraffin gum and mucosal swab were collected and analyzed at two times: before using the mask(s) (T0) and 3 h after continuous use of the mask(s) (T1). RESULTS The results indicated a significant difference between the groups, in which the basal saliva volume and pH and the peaks of VOCs increased for group B between T0 and T1. The rehydration time decreased and the volume and pH of the stimulated saliva increased, but with no significant difference between the groups. Furthermore, group B showed a significant decrease in Candida albicans Colony Forming Units (CFUs) and Total Bacterial Count (TBC) between T0 and T1. CONCLUSION It is concluded that the prolonged use of the FFP2 mask covered by a surgical mask can generate oral alterations in the user.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta D'Ercole
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti- Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy.
| | - Paolo Parisi
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti- Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Sara D'Arcangelo
- Department of Pharmacy, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Felice Lorusso
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University "Gd'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Luigina Cellini
- Department of Pharmacy, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Tatiane Cristina Dotta
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti- Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy
- Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 14040-904, Brazil
| | - Maristella Di Carmine
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University "Gd'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Morena Petrini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti- Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Antonio Scarano
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University "Gd'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Domenico Tripodi
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti- Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66100, Italy
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Huang W, Wang K, Hung CT, Chow KM, Tsang D, Lai RWM, Xu RH, Yeoh EK, Ho KF, Chen C. Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in COVID-19 isolation wards: On-site sampling and numerical analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 436:129152. [PMID: 35739698 PMCID: PMC9106403 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Although airborne transmission has been considered as a possible route for the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the role that aerosols play in SARS-CoV-2 transmission is still controversial. This study evaluated the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 isolation wards at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong by both on-site sampling and numerical analysis. A total of 838 air samples and 1176 surface samples were collected, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected using the RT-PCR method. Testing revealed that 2.3% of the air samples and 9.3% of the surface samples were positive, indicating that the isolation wards were contaminated with the virus. The dispersion and deposition of exhaled particles in the wards were calculated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The calculated accumulated number of particles collected at the air sampling points was closely correlated with the SARS-CoV-2 positive rates from the field sampling, which confirmed the possibility of airborne transmission. Furthermore, three potential intervention strategies, i.e., the use of curtains, ceiling-mounted air cleaners, and periodic ventilation, were numerically investigated to explore effective control measures in isolation wards. According to the results, the use of ceiling-mounted air cleaners is effective in reducing the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in such wards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kailu Wang
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China; Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JCSPHPC, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi-Tim Hung
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China; Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JCSPHPC, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kai-Ming Chow
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dominic Tsang
- Public Health Laboratory Centre, Centre for Health Protection, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Raymond Wai-Man Lai
- Department of Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Richard Huan Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eng-Kiong Yeoh
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China; Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JCSPHPC, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kin-Fai Ho
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. 999077, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China.
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Pan Y, Zhang H, Niu Z, An Y, Chen C. Boundary conditions for exhaled airflow from a cough with a surgical or N95 mask. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13088. [PMID: 36040272 PMCID: PMC9538929 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Wearing surgical or N95 masks is effective in reducing the infection risks of airborne infectious diseases. However, in the literature there are no detailed boundary conditions for airflow from a cough when a surgical or N95 mask is worn. These boundary conditions are essential for accurate prediction of exhaled particle dispersion by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study first constructed a coughing manikin with an exhalation system to simulate a cough from a person. The smoke visualization method was used to measure the airflow profile from a cough. To validate the setup of the coughing manikin, the results were compared with measured data from subject tests reported in the literature. The validated coughing manikin was then used to measure the airflow boundary conditions for a cough when a surgical mask was worn and when an N95 mask was worn, respectively. Finally, this study applied the developed airflow boundary conditions to calculate person-to-person particle transport from a cough when masks are worn. The calculated exhaled particle patterns agreed well with the smoke pattern in the visualization experiments. Furthermore, the calculated results indicated that, when the index person wore a surgical and a N95 mask, the total exposure of the receptor was reduced by 93.0% and 98.8%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Pan
- Department of Mechanical and Automation EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Haiqiang Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Zhuolun Niu
- Department of Mechanical and Automation EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Yuting An
- Department of Mechanical and Automation EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Automation EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
- Shenzhen Research InstituteThe Chinese University of Hong KongShenzhenChina
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Tesfaldet YT, Ndeh NT. Public face masks wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive analysis is needed for potential implications. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 7:100125. [PMID: 37520802 PMCID: PMC9271010 DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Face mask-wearing as a public health measure has been practiced since the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. Extensive research has shown that face masks are an effective non-pharmaceutical measure to contain the spread of respiratory infections. However, recent studies indicate that face masks release microplastics and other contaminants that have adverse health effects on humans. This communication reviews the evidence for face mask as a potential source of contaminants capable of adversely affecting human health. The benefits of face masks in reducing the transmission of SARS-Cov-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and seasonal communicable diseases were addressed. In addition, the risk of inhaling microplastics and organic contaminants, as well as the associated exposure level, were discussed. Finally, the potential research gaps that need to be addressed were outlined to provide a holistic view of the problem. This communication has illustrated that face mask-wearing as a public health measure to contain the spread of COVID-19 could be a potential risk factor for human health. Very few studies have been done on microplastics, organic pollutants, and trace metal inhalation from surgical masks. However, future work providing a comprehensive understanding of the risk and exposure levels needs to be undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacob T Tesfaldet
- International Program in Hazardous Substance and Environmental Management, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Nji T Ndeh
- International Program in Hazardous Substance and Environmental Management, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Abstract
Wearing face masks is essential for reducing infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, ordinary surgical face masks can provide only moderate protection. The N95 face masks should provide sufficient protection but may impose complaints about breathing difficulty or even impair respiratory health. This investigation proposed a novel face mask modified from the surgical face mask to improve both protection and comfort. The filter material of the surgical face mask was covered and sealed on a cardboard support frame but with openings for air permeating through. The modified face masks were worn by a test subject for measuring the air contents inside the face masks. The protection performance was evaluated by the overall PM1 filtration efficiency. The concentrations of CO2, O2, N2, and water vapor were adopted to evaluate the breathing comfort. The performance of the proposed face mask was compared with the market-available surgical and N95 face masks. In addition, CFD modeling was adopted to investigate the dynamic air exchange of the face mask with respiration and the surrounding air. Impacts of the air sampling tube positions on the measurement results were also examined. The results revealed that the overall PM1 filtration efficiency of the modified face mask could reach 96.2%, which was much higher than that of the surgical face mask and only slightly lower than the N95 face mask. As compared with the N95 face mask, the modified mask reduced the respiratory flow resistance and the concentrations of CO2 and water vapor and thus increased the O2 content and breathing comfort.
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Vlaskin MS. Review of air disinfection approaches and proposal for thermal inactivation of airborne viruses as a life-style and an instrument to fight pandemics. APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING 2022; 202:117855. [PMID: 34867067 PMCID: PMC8628600 DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic highlighted the importance of air biosecurity because SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted from person to person via airborne droplets. Preventing infectious droplets from entering the body is one of the best ways to protect against infection. This paper reviews the transmission patterns of airborne pathogens and air disinfection methods. A particular emphasis is put on studies devoted to the thermal inactivation of viruses. These reviews reveal that air heat treatment has not been seriously considered as a possible air disinfection approach. Simple calculations show that the energy input required for thermal disinfection of human's air daily consumption is almost the same as for daily water consumption (by heat treatment from room temperature to 100 °C). Moreover, it is possible to organize a continuous heat recovery from the air already heated during disinfection to the inlet air, thus significantly increasing the energy efficiency. Therefore, I propose a solution for the thermal inactivation of airborne pathogens based on air heating and its subsequent cooling in a heat exchanger with heat recovery. Such a solution could be used to create mobile personal and stationary indoor air disinfectors, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Thermal disinfection of air to breathe might one day be part of people's daily life like thermal disinfection of drinking water. Aside from limiting infectious disease transmission, thermal inactivation might be the basis for developing inhaled vaccines using thermally inactivated whole pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail S Vlaskin
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 13/2 Izhorskaya St, Moscow 125412, Russia
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