Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
06:57
Determining Viral Disinfection Efficacy of Hot Water Laundering
Published on: June 21, 2022
Performance evaluation of filtering facepiece respirators using virus aerosols
Zhili Zuo1, Thomas H Kuehn, David Y H Pui
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. zuoxx011@umn.edu
American Journal of Infection Control
|April 10, 2012
Summary
Filtering facepiece respirators showed 2%-5% physical penetration for airborne viruses like adenovirus and influenza. Infectivity penetration was significantly lower, suggesting physical penetration is a conservative measure of respirator effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Infectious disease control
- Respiratory protection technology
Background:
- Airborne viruses pose significant infection risks.
- Filtering facepiece respirators are crucial for preventing viral transmission.
- Understanding respirator effectiveness against specific airborne pathogens is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the physical and infectivity penetration of adenovirus and influenza virus aerosols through filtering facepiece respirators.
- To assess the accuracy of physical penetration as an indicator of respirator performance against airborne viruses.
Main Methods:
- Aerosolized adenovirus and influenza virus were generated.
- Physical penetration through respirators was measured.
- Infectivity penetration of adenovirus was determined and compared to physical penetration.
Main Results:
- Physical penetration of virus aerosols through respirators ranged from 2% to 5%.
- Significant sample-to-sample variation complicated direct comparison of penetration between different virus aerosols.
- Infectivity penetration of adenovirus was substantially lower than its physical penetration.
Conclusions:
- Physical penetration measurements offer a conservative estimate of respirator effectiveness against airborne viruses.
- Infectivity testing is critical for a precise understanding of respirator performance.
- Further research is needed to refine methods for assessing respirator efficacy against diverse viral aerosols.
