Abstract
In the current outbreak of COVID-19, healthcare facilities are hit by a shortage of supply of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) owing to extensive local and global demands and restrictions on their import or export. To circumvent this, trials with several indigenous materials suitable to qualify for PPEs and sterilization techniques for their reuse are being carried out. Prior to their commercialisation, it is imperative to evaluate the resistance of the PPE fabrics against penetration of synthetic blood under applied pressure, 40–300 mmHg as per test standards. Generally, two types of tests are recommended, Penetration Test and Splash Resistance Test, the former being more stringent. While the final certification of PPEs is carried out by authorised agencies, a first impression quick estimate of the choice of fabric can be made using a simple laboratory set-up. This study describes setups developed in the laboratory to carry out these tests. Evaluation of the fabrics, post-gamma irradiation, was also carried out. Microscopic examinations were performed to investigate radiation-induced structural changes in fabrics showing degraded performance. This set-up is useful for selection of fabrics and to assess the feasibility of reuse of PPEs, which is the need of the hour in this pandemic situation.
Highlights
In the current scenario of COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of Health Care Professionals (HCPs) are being engaged for medical, clinical, and logistics managements
To avoid/minimize the risk of accidental exposure to pathogenic organisms, it is mandatory that the HCPs wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at workplaces when dealing with infected patients
Small laboratory scale test set-ups can help to assess the choice of fabric having potential to qualify for PPE manufacturing and can be effectively used for performance evaluation of PPEs made from new materials, or those subjected to sterilization methods for their possible reuse
Summary
In the current scenario of COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of Health Care Professionals (HCPs) are being engaged for medical, clinical, and logistics managements. Most of the components/equipment used in this set-up such as syringes, momanometer, and filtration assembly are commonly available in the market at low costs In this pandemic crisis, small laboratory scale test set-ups can help to assess the choice of fabric having potential to qualify for PPE manufacturing and can be effectively used for performance evaluation of PPEs made from new materials, or those subjected to sterilization methods for their possible reuse. This study includes, development of test set-up with existing laboratory equipment to evaluate performances of 11 PPE-fabrics against penetration of Synthetic Blood Equivalent (SB) at various pressures ranging from 40 to 300 mmHg applied fluid pressure, both before and after radiation sterilization (30 kGy, gamma radiation). Radiation-induced structural changes in the fabrics were examined under fluorescence and bright field microscope
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