Methodology for Addressing Infectious Aerosol Persistence in Real-Time Using Sensor Network.

Sepehr Makhsous,Igor V Novosselov,Joelle M Segovia,Alexander V Mamishev,Jiayang He,Daniel Chan,Larry Lee

doi:10.3390/s21113928

Sepehr Makhsous, Igor V Novosselov + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/s21113928

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Abstract

Human exposure to infectious aerosols results in the transmission of diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. Most dental procedures generate a significant number of aerosolized particles, increasing transmission risk in dental settings. Since the generation of aerosols in dentistry is unavoidable, many clinics have started using intervention strategies such as area-filtration units and extraoral evacuation equipment, especially under the relatively recent constraints of the pandemic. However, the effectiveness of these devices in dental operatories has not been studied. Therefore, the ability of dental personnel to efficiently position and operate such instruments is also limited. To address these challenges, we utilized a real-time sensor network for assessment of aerosol dynamics during dental restoration and cleaning producers with and without intervention. The strategies tested during the procedures were (i) local area High-Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filters and (ii) Extra-Oral Suction Device (EOSD). The study was conducted at the University of Washington School of Dentistry using a network of 13 fixed sensors positioned within the operatory and one wearable sensor worn by the dental operator. The sensor network provides time and space-resolved particulate matter (PM) data. Three-dimensional (3D) visualization informed aerosol persistence in the operatory. It was found that area filters did not improve the overall aerosol concentration in dental offices in a significant way. A decrease in PM concentration by an average of 16% was observed when EOSD equipment was used during the procedures. The combination of real-time sensors and 3D visualization can provide dental personnel and facility managers with actionable feedback to effectively assess aerosol transmission in medical settings and develop evidence-based intervention strategies.

Highlights

IntroductionDue to the limitation of aerosol-monitoring instruments, there is limited information on the number, size, persistence, and fate of these aerosols in medical facilities and dental offices [6]
While the sensor placed on the floor (AS3) and the nearby trashcan (AS13) show consistent results, a drop of approximately 500 in particulate count of Dp>0.3 is observed by the sensor placed next to the unit (AS8), where following the fan when turned to low speed, particle concentration doubles
Current approaches applied by dental clinics lack evidence to support their efficacy in reducing aerosols

Summary

Introduction

Due to the limitation of aerosol-monitoring instruments, there is limited information on the number, size, persistence, and fate of these aerosols in medical facilities and dental offices [6]. These limited data from simulated dental treatment suggests that dental aerosols can travel more than six feet from the patient’s mouth and remain suspended in the operatory for up to 30 min, depending upon particle size. Sensors 2021, 21, 3928 pandemic highlighted that many infections could be transmitted through aerosol expoestablishing the urgent need need to monitor the environment and develop evidence-based sure, establishing the urgent to monitor the environment and develop evidenceintervention strategies

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