Personal Protective Equipment Products Research Articles

Institutional implications for science and industrial capacity: policy lessons from the UK’s pandemic response

Abstract Global shortages of critical equipment and supplies induced by COVID-19 forced countries to rapidly build and ramp up their indigenous testing and production capacities. However, the many ways in which institutional and organizational change occurred has not been sufficiently captured. Building domestic capacity requires the leveraging and repurposing of existing domestic scientific and technological capabilities, coupled with intensified global outreach to new and existing partners and suppliers. Using the framework of institutional variety, this paper looks at two facets of the UK’s COVID emergency industrial response: (1) building its laboratory testing capabilities and (2) for increasing production of personal protective equipment; assessing the institutional capacities and relations that were leveraged in this regard. It uses these findings together with observations of ‘innovation processes under emergency conditions’ and the potential uses of a ‘critical equipment policy’ to sharpen some of the recommendations made in the UK’s post-COVID Research and Development Roadmap.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Unsustainable PPE Materials: A Correlation and Causality Analysis

In this paper, we investigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European and Chinese unsustainable and non-recyclable plastic markets, specifically those used for the production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We explore exogenous economic and commodity price impacts on polypropylene, acrylonitrile and polyvinyl-chloride, via VECM and Granger causality analysis, with the results remaining robust under testing. We find that price shocks from rubber and EUROSTOXX are significantly correlated with PPE materials, to a greater extent than crude oil, unexpectedly relating price declines in PPE materials to factors beyond medical demand. This will aid a policymakers and industry understand the factors that affect the price of unsustainable and non-recyclable PPE materials, respond to the need for pandemic PPE provision and reduce the potential environmental impact of future pandemics.

Resilience and transformation: The impact of COVID-19 on Pakistan’s textile industry

The economy of Pakistan has faced many challenges due to COVID-19, leading to numerous systemic failures and leaving it struggling to recover. This research aims to shed light on the specific challenges faced by Pakistani textile companies during the pandemic. Comprehensive data was collected from one hundred fifty-three textile managers in Pakistan. Upon examining the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, it has been found that the most pressing issues revolved around working capital and strategies for generating new sales. Interestingly, many of these businesses were well-prepared in the digital realm, readily embracing digital knowledge and seizing opportunities by pivoting to the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) and N95 masks. This study aims to evaluate the early consequences of COVID-19 on Pakistan’s textile industry. Considering the scarcity of research on these challenges and opportunities, our work contributes to a better understanding of the hurdles the textile sector faces. Furthermore, it sets the groundwork for future research in this domain. It provides valuable insights for textile businesses, enabling them to align their strategies with the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.

Advance Analysis of the Obtained Recycled Materials from Used Disposable Surgical Masks.

The production of personal protective equipment (PPE) has increased dramatically in recent years, not only because of the pandemic, but also because of stricter legislation in the field of Employee Protection. The increasing use of PPE, including disposable surgical masks (DSMs), is putting additional pressure on waste collectors. For this reason, it is necessary to find high-quality solutions for this type of waste. Mechanical recycling is still the most common type of recycling, but the recyclates are often classified as low-grade materials. For this reason, a detailed analysis of the recyclates is necessary. These data will help us to improve the properties and find the right end application that will increase the value of the materials. This work represents an extended analysis of the recyclates obtained from DSMs, manufactured from different polymers. Using surface and morphology tests, we have gained insights into the distribution of different polymers in polymer blends and their effects on mechanical and surface properties. It was found that the addition of ear loop material to the PP melt makes the material tougher. In the polymer blends obtained, PP and PA 6 form the surface (affects surface properties), while PU and PET are distributed mainly inside the injection-molded samples.

Administrative and legal characteristics of the establishment and development of the organizational and legal principles of the use of individual armor protection: the New Kingdom Period and the Middle Ages

In the article, the author carried out a thorough administrative and legal characterization of the formation and development of the organizational and legal foundations of the use of individual armor protection in such periods as the period of the New Kingdom and the Middle Ages. For the first time, the author conducted a study of the formation and development of the organizational and legal foundations of the use of individual armor protection of various periods dating back to ancient times. With the development of a wide range of armor, weapons also underwent evolution, which made the means of personal protection less effective. That is why they were forced to change their qualities in the process of the evolution of weapons production for their effectiveness. In all periods and in those distant prehistoric times, people tried in every way to protect their body from damage by the enemy. Accordingly, in the studied period of the New Kingdom, heavy armor was used, which was defined as rare and associated with attributes of power and prestige. An important part of the Egyptian royal historiography was determined by the paraphernalia on which the pharaoh was depicted, rushing on a fast-moving chariot, and he at one time struck a crowd of enemies with a bow. Also, to protect the legs, leggings were used as means of personal protection, and to protect the hands, respectively, a hasty glove. This period of development of personal protective equipment was also characterized by the fact that animal skin was used as the first armor to protect the body. Animal skins were wrapped by warriors around the body or simply draped over the shoulders and hung behind, covering the back. Also used was a bronze bell-shaped carapace consisting of front and back plates, with a simple relief depicting the anatomy of the upper human torso. The two plates were connected to each other with the help of the corresponding fasteners, which are located on the sides and on the shoulders. The bell-shaped carapace gradually went out of circulation as it was replaced by the canvas carapace. Along with this shell, there was also an iron shell. Rich Romans wore chain mail, which was apparently also used by some Greeks at the time. The period of formation and development of personal protective equipment, namely the period of the Middle Ages, is characterized by the following features: it is considered “a great period in the history of the development of knightly protective weapons”; three types of soft armor were used, namely: 1) made of fabric (for example, linen) or leather lined with wool or wool; 2) chain mail (used in Europe since the 5th century BC); 3) from metal plates (more or less large and rigid); pleated paper was used for the production of personal protective equipment at that time.

Process switching strategies for sustainable production of personal protective equipment

Process switching strategies for sustainable production of personal protective equipment

The Medical Right to Repair: Intellectual Property, the Maker Movement, and COVID-19

This article considers the strengths and limitations of the use of 3D printing and additive manufacturing for the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 public health crisis. It explores the role of the Maker Movement in addressing the shortfall in medical equipment during the public health pandemic. Taking a comparative approach, this article evaluates the responses of both the commercial and amateur sides of the 3D printing community to the COVID-19 public health crisis. In the EU, the Fab Lab Network sought to overcome a breakdown in supply chains. In the US, Dale Dougherty of Make Magazine promoted Plan C, in which volunteers have worked together to produce PPE. In Australia, 3D printing has been used to augment supplies of PPE. In this context, a key issue across jurisdictions has been the tension between intellectual property rights and the right to repair—particularly when 3D printing has been applied to deal with shortages in PPE. Senator Ron Wyden put forward the Critical Medical Infrastructure Right-to-Repair Act of 2020 (US) to try to resolve these tensions. Open licensing has proven to be a helpful mechanism to enable open collaboration and sharing of 3D printing designs for the purposes of health care. Nonetheless, it is argued that there should be stronger recognition of the right to repair—particularly in the context of health-care and medical devices. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted that there needs to be a broader array of intellectual property flexibilities to deal with public health emergencies—including in respect of the right to repair. As such, this article supports a broad vision of a TRIPS Waiver which includes the right to repair. The recognition of a right to repair will help promote the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals and a COVID-19 recovery. The topic of the medical right to repair has larger implications for sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in respect of responsible production and consumption (SDG 12), as well as good health and well-being (SDG 3), innovation (SDG 9), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).

Nanomaterials Used in the Preparation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the Fight against SARS-CoV-2

Following the well-known pandemic, declared on 30 January 2020 by the World Health Organization, the request for new global strategies for the prevention and mitigation of the spread of the infection has come to the attention of the scientific community. Nanotechnology has often managed to provide solutions, effective responses, and valid strategies to support the fight against SARS-CoV-2. This work reports a collection of information on nanomaterials that have been used to counter the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In particular, the objective of this work was to illustrate the strategies that have made it possible to use the particular properties of nanomaterials, for the production of personal protective equipment (DIP) for the defense against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Innovate and Stockpile: Respiratory Protection for Essential Workers in a Catastrophic Pandemic.

Innovate and Stockpile: Respiratory Protection for Essential Workers in a Catastrophic Pandemic.

Study of Indonesian Vaccine Diplomacy at Bilateral, Regional, and Multilateral Levels to Overcome Covid-19 Pandemic

Indonesia has continued to carry out vaccine diplomacy since the Covid-19 pandemic emerged in early 2020. Vaccine diplomacy is considered important because vaccines are a crucial tool in dealing with the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. This study aimed to analyze how Indonesia’s vaccine diplomacy is carried out in the form of bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the research also focused on the opportunities and challenges faced by Indonesia in making vaccine diplomacy (health diplomacy) to strengthen health security and national health independence. This research used a qualitative approach. The results showed various efforts made by Indonesia to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic at different levels, namely bilateral, regional, and multilateral. This is done by Indonesia to meet the supply of vaccines in an effort to create health security and national health independence. However, there are challenges in its implementation. Indonesia is still struggling against the COVID-19 pandemic, but also has an interest at the global level to actively participate in global health policies. Therefore, it is important for Indonesia to effectively coordinate with the various collaborations that have been established. In the implementation of Indonesia’s health diplomacy at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, it also creates opportunities for Indonesia’s economic recovery, where Indonesia can maximize the production of personal protective equipment. However, it needs to be a concern for Indonesia that in maximizing these commodities, various internal and external aspects must be considered so that effectiveness can be felt not only for Indonesia but also for destination countries.
 Keywords: vaccine diplomacy, bilateral, regional, multilateral, Covid-19

COVID-19 lockdown, personal protective equipment, hyper-hygiene and allergy.

At the beginning of Sars-Cov 2 pandemic, in the absence of "targeted" therapies, the national health authorities have introduced some measures aimed at reducing the spread of infection in the community (lockdown, social distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE), personal hygiene and disinfection of living environments). All the containment measures have led to both positive and negative effects in patients with allergic diseases. We believe that further studies should be undertaken to investigate the possible correlations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and allergy, from a broader perspective. In particular, the risk factors for the development of undesirable effects should be investigated, especially in healthcare professionals forced to use PPE and sanitizing agents for a long time. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic probably will not be short-lived, the use of such protective aids will necessarily be widespread even in the general population. Therefore, further studies on the materials used for the production of PPE and sanitizing agents would be necessary to reduce their sensitizing and, in some cases, toxic potential.

Study of The Impact of Users’ Features on Dimensional Allowances Resulting from the Use of Personal Protective Equipment

Up-to-date anthropometric data on the human population are needed for designing safe and ergonomically efficient workplaces. An important determinant of safety and ergonomic comfort at work is knowledge of the value of dimensional allowances (DAs) when using personal protective equipment (PPE) as the dimensions and space occupied by workers increase. This is particularly important in environments characterized by spatial constraints. However, it is not well known to what extent the aforementioned DAs are affected by the users' features. The anthropometric dimensions of 200 people (151 males and 49 females) were obtained from 3D scans, and these became the basis for calculating DAs when using PPE kits normally worn by rescue and technical workers. DAs were determined for the entire body shape of a person wearing three types of PPE kits designed for firefighters, mine rescuers, and welders. In the study, maximum and mean values of height, width, and circumference DAs were obtained. In addition, percentage dimensional increments (DIs) were calculated. A three-dimensional analysis of the human body with and without PPE, involving a 3D scanning methodology, was applied to address the research question. Test results clearly indicate that the values of DAs do not depend on the anthropometric features of users, such as sex, age, and body height percentile-they remain constant for a given type of PPE. The presented data are useful for designing PPE products as well as work tools and infrastructure, including machinery, devices, workstations, means of transport, interiors, and building equipment. The results of the presented study indicate that dimensional allowances play a significant role in interactions between persons wearing PPE and their work environments. The obtained results (DAs and percentage DIs) are included in a new anthropometric atlas of human measures developed by the CIOP-PIB in 2023.

Resource recovery from discarded COVID-19 PPE kit through catalytic fast pyrolysis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world saw an exponential surge in the production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, which eventually got discarded in the biomedical waste stream. In this study, thirteen different polymer samples from the PPE kit were collected and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, thermogravimetric analysis, and analytical pyrolysis-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry. The characterization data showed that about 94 % by mass of components were made of only three polymers, viz. polypropylene (PP, 75.6 wt %), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 12.5 wt %), and polycarbonate (PC, 6 wt %). The analytical pyrolysis of the PPE coverall suit (PP) yielded mainly alkenes containing 2,4-dimethyl-1-heptene as the major compound with 17 wt % yield at 600 °C. The pyrolysates from face shield (PET) were rich in benzoic acid (5.8 wt %) and acetophenone (4.8 wt %), while those from safety goggles (PC) were rich in phenol (17.6 wt %) and p-cresol (12.4 wt %) at 600 °C. HZSM-5 and HY zeolites were used for the catalytic upgradation of pyrolysates especially from PP, PET and PC. The temperature and feed-to-catalyst ratio were optimized by performing catalytic fast pyrolysis experiments at 500 °C, 600 °C and 700 °C with different feed-to-catalyst ratios 1:2, 1:4, and 1:6 (w/w). The yield of aromatic hydrocarbons, viz., BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) and naphthalene, was maximum (∼25.7 wt %) from PP coverall when HY catalyst was used at 600 °C and 1:6 (w/w) loading. In the case of PET face shield, the total yield of BTEX, naphthalene and biphenyl was maximum (27.9 wt %) at 600 °C and 1:4 (w/w) of HZSM-5, while in the case of PC goggles, it was maximum (18.6 wt %) at 700 °C and 1:4 (w/w) of HY. This study shows that the entire PPE kit can be valorized via catalytic fast pyrolysis to generate petrochemical products and platform molecules like monoaromatic hydrocarbons at high selectivities.

Covid-19 and personal protective equipment: The experience of nurses engaged in care of Sars-Cov-2 patients: A phenomenological study.

The study aims to explore the experiences of nurses who have worked in Covid-19 wards providing care for Covid-19 patients. During the Covid-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment (PPE) was considered an effective and guaranteed protective measure. This is a descriptive qualitative study with thematically analysed interviews. Twelve nurses working (specify context) were interviewed. Three themes emerged from interviews: (1) confidence with PPE used during the Covid-19 crisis, (2) training in the use of PPE and (3) technical requirements for PPE. This study clarified the importance of PPE quality and choice in establishing comfort for nurses and providing better patient care. These results could suggest useful elements to improve the PPE products by making them more comfortable for health care workers. Our results are important to promote and suggest prevention measures that are as comfortable and suitable as possible for health workers involved in the Covid-19 emergency, and also for potential future similar crises.

Comprehensive Highlights of the Universal Efforts towards the Development of COVID-19 Vaccine.

The world has taken proactive measures to combat the pandemic since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, which was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). These measures range from increasing the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) and highlighting the value of social distancing to the emergency use authorization (EUA) of therapeutic drugs or antibodies and their appropriate use; nonetheless, the disease is still spreading quickly and is ruining people’s social lives, the economy, and public health. As a result, effective vaccines are critical for bringing the pandemic to an end and restoring normalcy in society. Several potential COVID-19 vaccines are now being researched, developed, tested, and reviewed. Since the end of June 2022, several vaccines have been provisionally approved, whereas others are about to be approved. In the upcoming years, a large number of new medications that are presently undergoing clinical testing are anticipated to hit the market. To illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of their technique, to emphasize the additives and delivery methods used in their creation, and to project potential future growth, this study explores these vaccines and the related research endeavors, including conventional and prospective approaches.

A full-face mask for protection against respiratory infections

BackgroundAerosols and droplets are the transmission routes of many respiratory infectious diseases. The COVID-19 management guidance recommends against the use of nebulized inhalation therapy directly in the emergency room or in an ambulance to prevent possible viral transmission. The three-dimensional printing method was used to develop an aerosol inhalation treatment mask that can potentially prevent aerosol dispersion. We conducted this utility validation study to understand the practicability of this new nebulizer mask system.ResultsThe fit test confirmed that the filter can efficiently remove small particles. The different locations of the mask had an excellent fit with a high pressure making a proper face seal usability. The full-face mask appeared to optimize filtration with pressure and is an example of materials that perform well for improvised respiratory protection using this design. The filtering effect test confirmed that the contamination of designated locations could be protected when using the mask with filters. As in the clinical safety test, a total of 18 participants (10 [55.6%] females; aged 33.1 ± 0.6 years) were included in the final analysis. There were no significant changes in SPO2, EtCO2, HR, SBP, DBP, and RR at the beginning, 20th, 40th, or 60th minutes of the test (all p >.05). The discomfort of wearing a mask increased slightly after time but remained within the tolerable range. The vision clarity score did not significantly change during the test. The mask also passed the breathability test.ConclusionThe results of our study showed that this mask performed adequately in the fit test, the filtering test, and the clinical safety test. The application of a full-face mask with antiviral properties, together with the newly designed shape of a respirator that respects the natural curves of a human face, will facilitate the production of personal protective equipment with a highly efficient filtration system.MethodsWe conducted three independent tests in this validation study: (1) a fit test to calculate the particle number concentration and its association with potential leakage; (2) a filtering effect test to verify the mask’s ability to contain aerosol spread; and (3) a clinical safety test to examine the clinical safety, comfortableness, and visual clarity of the mask.

The planetary health effects of COVID-19 in dental care: a life cycle assessment approach.

Aims COVID-19 has significantly impacted the safety guidelines for personal protective equipment (PPE) within dental services. We quantified and compared the environmental impact of different forms of PPE.Methods The PPE items were divided into three categories: 1) the body protection category, which included disposable and reusable gowns; 2) the eye protection category, which included a visor with a disposable face shield and a reusable visor; and 3) the respiratory protection category, which included respirator FP2SLw, respirator FFP2 and surgical masks. The OpenLCA software was used for analysing and comparing the environmental impact of all PPE products in the three categories.Results The life cycle assessment results of this study showed that damage to human health was more significant for the reusable gown than the disposable gown for the body-protection-category PPE. A visor with a disposable face shield had a higher environmental footprint than the reusable visor across all impact categories for the eye protection category. In addition, a visor with a disposable face shield released five times more carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and used four times more dissipated water and three times more fossil fuels than the reusable visor. A disposable gown used four times more dissipated water and three times more fossil fuels than reusable gowns. For respiratory PPE, the FP2SLw respirator had the highest burden in all 16 categories, followed by the FFP2 respirator and then the surgical mask.Conclusion The environmental impact of PPE is notable and could be reduced through using less damaging domestic products and increased usage of reusables. In addition, the selection of PPE that are reusable and made of recyclable materials can help to minimise the environmental impact and reduce environmental resource depletion.

Personal protective equipment market coordination using subsidy.

During a pandemic, various resources, including personal protective equipment (PPE), are required to protect people and healthcare workers from getting infected. Due to the high demand and limited supply chain, countries experience a shortage in PPE products. This global crisis imposes a decline in the international trade of PPE supplies. In fact, most governments implement a localization strategy motivating domestic manufacturers to pivot their operations to respond to PPE demands. An oligopolistic market cannot reach the socially optimal coverage without government subsidies. On the other hand, the government subsidy pays the proportion of production costs to reach the socially optimal coverage, while the government’s budget is limited. Therefore, the government collaborates with manufacturers via procurement contracts to increase the supply of PPE products. We propose the first supply chain model of PPE products that investigates manufacturer costs and government expenditure. We consider how different behavioral aspects of manufacturers and government can self-organize towards a system optimum. Additionally, we integrate the consumer surplus, producer surplus, and societal surplus into the game model to maximize social benefit. A cost-sharing contract under the system optimum between government and manufacturers is designed to increase the production of PPEs and hence, helps in reducing the number of infected individuals. We conducted our computational study on real data generated from the mask usage during the Covid-19 pandemic in Los Angeles (LA) County to respond to the reported PPE shortage. Under the socially optimal strategy, the PPE coverage increases by up to 33%, and the number of infected individuals reduces by up to 30% compared to other strategies.

The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and associated environmental challenges: A study on Dhaka, Bangladesh

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused health crisis and concerns worldwide. The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been the primary behavioral and policy response to avert the infection of coronavirus. The emergence of the situation resulted in increased production of PPE, creating a surge in plastic pollution and carbon footprint. The consumption of PPEs is unavoidable; however, proper PPE waste disposal plays a vital role in lessening the associated environmental impacts. This study aims to provide an overview of the environmental challenges associated with Covid-19 pandemic faced in the households located at the heart of Bangladesh, Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) area. The study determines carbon footprint in terms of carbon emission equivalent and plastic pollution potential associated with PPEs. The study further implies that there is a gap in the 3R Strategy implementation in Bangladesh hindering the nation in achieving UN's SDG-12. The findings depict that the proper implementation of the 3R strategy is fundamental for ensuring more a resilient, sustainable and livable environment in the in-pandemic and post-pandemic era and further emphasizes that a strengthened policy framework, operational environmental policy tools, environmental education, and the society and stakeholders' spontaneous response to the plastic pollution challenge are essentially required.

New in the field of labor protection and security

The review presents innovations in the field of normative regulation in the field of labor protection, the production of personal protective equipment, information about the initiatives of the Association "PPE".