Experiment No.
: 08 Date:
TYPES OF MASKS, PPE GEAR AND DISPOSAL
AIM: To Study about Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) and various types
of masks, wearing/using them, and disposal
THEORY:
Types of PPE:
1. Gloves: Protects your hands from microbes and minimizes the possible
spreading of microbes
2. Masks: Cover your mouth and nasal area. Some masks have a see-through
plastic plece, which also covers your eyes (shield). A special respiratory mask
(respirator) forms a tight seal around your nose and mouth. It can be useful to
minimize the inhalation of smaller microbes, such as tuberculosis bacteria.
3. Eye protection: This includes face shields as well as goggles. They can
protect the mucous membranes of your eyes from bodily fluids. If the fluids
make contact with the eyes, microbes within the fluid can enter the body
through the mucous membranes.
4. Clothing: Includes gowns, aprons, head covering, and shoe covers.
Selection of Appropriate PPE:
It is important to consider the following factors influencing the selection of
PPE;
1. Type of anticipated exposure: Such as from touch or surfaces, splashes or
sprays, or large volumes of bodily fluids. PPE selection (and combinations of
PPE), is determined by the category of isolation of the patient being treated (see
the link below from the CDC).
2. Durability and appropriateness of the PPE for the task: This will affect,
for example, whether a gown or apron is selected. If a gown is required, the type
of gown is also important. Does it need to be fluid resistant, fluid proof, both or
neither?
3. Fitting: PPE must fit the individual user (form a proper seal). For example, if
a glove is too large / too small than the person's hand, it will compromise the
level of protection while also affecting the dexterity of the health care provider.
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Experiment No.: 08 Date:
Face Protection:
Masks should fully cover the nose and mouth and prevent any fluid penetration.
Masks should fit snuggly over the nose and mouth. Please note that facial hair
can compromise the seal of a face mask. This should be a consideration for the
healthcare provider if you are regularly required to wear a face mask in your
work environment. Masks also have a flexible nose piece and can be secured to
the head with string ties or elastic. It is important to understand the different
types of masks and their recommended usage. Not all masks and filtering face
pieces (FFP) offer the same protection and it is important to understand the use
and limitations of each one. See the table. Below:
Type of Masks:
There are many types of masks you can use to protect yourself and others from
getting and spreading COVID-19. When choosing mask choose one that is
snugly.
1. Bandana: A bandana is a triangular or square piece of cloth that's often worti
as a head or neck covering Tying a bandana over your mouth and nese is a time
honored way to keep dust and other particles out of the respiratory system
Bandanas provide protection against droplets from cough or sneeze related
"spray".
2. Homemade cloth mask: Not ideally recommended when taking care of
infected patients as they do not provide adequate protection but they are still
better for routine use than not covering your mouth and nose Densely woven
cotton fabrics, such as quilting cotton, are best Single layer fabric masks are less
effective than double-layer masks, which may be less effective than triple-layer
masks.
3. Disposable surgical masks: Loose fitting a disposable device made of
polypropylene, may be effective in blocking particle droplets splashes sprays
which may contain germs, keeping them from reaching mouth and nose. It does
hot block small particles in the air that may be transmitted by nearby coughing
or sneezing. It is used by persons caring for sick persons with respiratory
infections and symptoms as cough. Sneezing, fever, health care and frontline
workers surgical masks are not designed to be used more than once. Ideally, you
should dispose of a mask after wearing it.
4. N95, KN95 and other respirators: A special respiratory mask (respirator
forms a tight seal around your nose and mouth It may be needed so that you do
not breathe in small germs like tuberculosis bacteria measles or chickenpox
viruses N95 face respirators offer the most protection against novel coronavirus
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Experiment No.: 08 Date:
and other respiratory diseases N95 protects the person wearing the mask
because they filter out 95% of particles from the air breathed in Wearing any
ofthe other masks in the list (cotton and disposable) are intended to protect
others around you from your own respiratory droplets and 'spray. KN95
respirators are made to China specifications and standards and N95s are made to
U.S. design standards. Both are rated to filter out 95% particles. Buy KN95s
that meet the National Institute of Occupational Safety and very small Health
(NIOSH) requirements About 60% of KN95s in the U.S. may be fake and do
not meet NIOSH requirements, according to the CDC.
Even more effective than N95 respirators are the N99 (99% filtration), N100
(99.97% filtration), R95 (95% filtration, and partially resistant to oil), and P95,
P99 and P100 (95% 99% and 99.97% filtration, respectively, and strongly oil
resistant).
Dispose of a Used Mask: (Remember Masks Should Be Treated as Medical
Waste). Different germs can survive on a used mask for different durations.
Experts feel that viruses, when left exposed, can survive for few hours or few
days too. The infected masks have respiratory secretions on them and can be
dispersed and transmitted through the air. So, please be sensitive. Always wash
your hands before and after taking off the mask.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends discarding them in the
"correct" rubbish bin immediately after use and not reusing them. What is the
"correct" bin? Masks and other disposable material that are used to contain the
pandemic, such as gloves, must not be disposed of in the recycling bin with
packaging, cans, etc. or with organic waste. Do not throw them away with your
general household rubbish.
The Brazilian Sanitary and Environmental Engineering Association (ABES) has
issued advice on the correct way to dispose of used masks and gloves. The
materials should be placed into two small plastic bags one inside the other. Tie
the bags firmly and throw them away with your general domestic waste. If the
materials have been in contact with an infected person, take extra care and write
"RISK OF CONTAMINATION" on the bag.
RESULT:
Studied and understood Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) and various
types of masks, wearing/using them, and disposal.
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Experiment No.: 08 Date:
FIG: GLOVES
FIG: EYE PROTECTION GLASS
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Experiment No.: 08 Date:
FIG: TYPES OF FACE MASK