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Survival of Microorganisms on Nonwovens Used for the Construction of Filtering Facepiece Respirators

Author

Listed:
  • Katarzyna Majchrzycka

    (Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection—National Research Institute, Wierzbowa 48, 90-133 Łódź, Poland)

  • Małgorzata Okrasa

    (Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection—National Research Institute, Wierzbowa 48, 90-133 Łódź, Poland)

  • Justyna Szulc

    (Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Faculty Biotechnology and Food Science, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska 171/173, 90-924 Łódź, Poland)

  • Anita Jachowicz

    (Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Faculty Biotechnology and Food Science, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska 171/173, 90-924 Łódź, Poland)

  • Beata Gutarowska

    (Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Faculty Biotechnology and Food Science, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska 171/173, 90-924 Łódź, Poland)

Abstract

Filtering nonwovens that constitute the base material for filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) used for the protection of the respiratory system against bioaerosols may, in favourable conditions, promote the development of harmful microorganisms. There are no studies looking at the impact that different types of filtering nonwovens have on microorganism survival, which is an important issue for FFR producers and users. Five commercial filtering nonwovens manufactured using diverse textile technologies (i.e., needle-punching, melt-blown, spun-bonding) with different structural parameters and raw material compositions were used within our research. The survival of microorganisms on filtering nonwovens was determined for E. coli , S. aureus , B. subtilis bacteria; C. albicans yeast and A. niger mould. Samples of nonwovens were collected immediately after inoculum application (at 0 h) and after 4, 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of incubation. The tests were carried out in accordance with the AATCC 100-1998 method. Survival depended strongly on microorganism species. E. coli and S. aureus bacteria grew the most on all nonwovens tested. The structural parameters of the nonwovens tested (mass per unit area and thickness) and contact angle did not significantly affect microorganism survival.

Suggested Citation

  • Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Małgorzata Okrasa & Justyna Szulc & Anita Jachowicz & Beata Gutarowska, 2019. "Survival of Microorganisms on Nonwovens Used for the Construction of Filtering Facepiece Respirators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:7:p:1154-:d:218648
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Małgorzata Okrasa & Anita Jachowicz & Justyna Szulc & Beata Gutarowska, 2018. "Microbial Growth on Dust-Loaded Filtering Materials Used for the Protection of Respiratory Tract as a Factor Affecting Filtration Efficiency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Małgorzata Okrasa & Justyna Skóra & Beata Gutarowska, 2016. "Evaluation of the Survivability of Microorganisms Deposited on Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices under Varying Conditions of Humidity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Justyna Szulc & Anna Otlewska & Małgorzata Okrasa & Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Michael Sulyok & Beata Gutarowska, 2017. "Microbiological Contamination at Workplaces in a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Station Processing Plant Biomass," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, January.
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