Removal of indoor aerosol particles generated in a medically relevant space using a portable airborne particle filtration device

Abstract

Aerosol generating procedures expose operating room personnel to pathogens. Applying localized negative pressure within the proximity of a patient’s airway is expected to reduce the amount of bioaerosols dispersed within the vicinity of a healthcare worker applying an aerosol generating procedure. Nebulized saline was used as a proxy for bioaerosols and was produced with an aerosol generator placed near the centre of a simulated operating room. A particle counter was placed nearby to detect aerosols and determine their size distribution. A portable filtration unit was placed at fixed distances from the site of aerosol emittance to reduce the concentration of aerosols. In the presence of vacuum at distances of 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm from the site of aerosol emittance, the reduction in the average concentrations of 0.5, 0.7, 1.0 and 3.0 μm particles relative to the control ranged from 87 to 99% depending on the distance and particle size. The efficiency of particle capture was dependent on the distance of the vacuum inlet to the aerosol outlet. At all distances tested, significant aerosol reduction was observed (p < 0.05), indicating that the portable filtration unit has the potential to increase safety without contacting the patient.