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Methodology for Addressing Infectious Aerosol Persistence in Real-Time Using Sensor Network
Sepehr Makhsous1, Joelle M Segovia1, Jiayang He1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 3900 E Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Dental procedures create infectious aerosols. While High-Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filters showed minimal impact, Extra-Oral Suction Devices (EOSD) reduced aerosol particles by 16%, improving dental operatory safety.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Infectious Disease Transmission
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Dental procedures generate infectious aerosols, posing a significant transmission risk for diseases like COVID-19.
- Existing interventions like area filters and extraoral suction devices are used, but their effectiveness in dental settings remains unquantified.
- Dental personnel face challenges in optimally positioning and operating these aerosol-mitigating devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of High-Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filters and Extra-Oral Suction Devices (EOSD) in reducing aerosol concentrations during dental procedures.
- To evaluate the utility of a real-time sensor network and 3D visualization for analyzing aerosol dynamics in dental operatories.
- To provide data-driven insights for developing evidence-based aerosol intervention strategies in dental environments.
Main Methods:
- A real-time sensor network with 13 fixed and 1 wearable sensor was deployed in a dental operatory.
- Particulate matter (PM) data was collected during dental restoration and cleaning procedures, with and without HEPA filters or EOSD.
- Three-dimensional (3D) visualization was used to map aerosol persistence and distribution within the operatory.
Main Results:
- Local area HEPA filters did not significantly reduce overall aerosol concentration in the dental operatory.
- The use of Extra-Oral Suction Devices (EOSD) resulted in an average decrease of 16% in particulate matter concentration.
- Real-time sensor data and 3D visualization effectively mapped aerosol dynamics and intervention impacts.
Conclusions:
- Extra-Oral Suction Devices (EOSD) demonstrate measurable effectiveness in reducing aerosolized particles during dental procedures.
- Area HEPA filters appear less effective than EOSD for aerosol mitigation in dental operatories.
- Integrated sensor networks and visualization tools offer valuable feedback for optimizing aerosol control strategies in healthcare settings.
