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New Delhi, July 24, 2021 :
The pandemic-induced challenges have ushered in a new scope of innovation to safeguard medical workers including doctors, health staff and others against risks of infections. Now by eliminating the chances of Covid-spread by reducing the concentration of harmful aerosols in air, Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) are emerging as game changers in protecting the lives of wearers against usual respirators like disposable masks that cover nose and mouth that filter out particles such as dust and fumes, but do not protect from gases and vapors.
PAPRs reduce the aerosol concentration inhaled by the wearer to at least 1/25th of that in the air as compared to a 1/10th reduction by the commonly used Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs) and elastomeric half facepiece air-purifying respirators. A PAPR pulls the highly contaminated surrounding air into an intake valve which a blower then forces air through filter cartridges, cleansing the air, and back into the designated breathing zone of the individual wearing it.
“At present, enhanced protection has become crucial to safeguard medical workers from droplet transmissions of the infectious viral disease. Many infectious pathogens – as well as the SARS-CoV-2 – manifest through the spread of respiratory secretions. Infectious drops are released by sneezing, coughing, speaking or singing and can be transmitted directly from one person to another or stick to surfaces. We strongly recommend PAPRs for the medical workers. Everyone should come together to develop world class solutions to protect the medical staff from getting infected,” said Peter Oberstrass, Sales Asia & South America, Optrel AG.
The healthcare workers are also at an increased risk of infection as the droplets are spread through aerosols generated during medical examinations and treatment methods like dental activities, sputum induction, bronchoscopy, medical intubation, ventilation, resuscitation or as an aerosol of technical procedures. Besides, there is the further possibility of a smear infection, by which the sedimented pathogen reaches the mucous membranes via touching hands and then touching mouth or eyes. The water shell of smaller droplets evaporates during sedimentation and the resulting aerosols can float in the air for an indefinite period of time, i.e. they can consequently be aerogenically distributed. Mould spores and measles or tuberculosis pathogens can accordingly be spread throughout the room.
The PAPR systems are made using best-in-class methods by keeping these factors in mind and are evaluated and rated for varying levels of protection. As compared to the widely available TH-2 system, the TH3-certified breathing protection system filters 10 times more dirt out of the air, or in other words: 99.8% of the harmful particles are filtered out of the air guaranteeing extra protection. Other than assuring highest safety with TH-3 systems, PAPR also encompasses integrated, automatic air flow control and calibration, an odor filter to keep user free from awkward smells and insanitary zones, variable flow rates for getting varied speed depending on the zone and type of operation, a battery with more than 16+ operating hours and others.
In addition, a standard reusable mask with cartridges, oftentimes requires a user to be clean shaven. Being clean shaven helps with proper fit and filtering for protection. However, with an enclosed PAPR, a user can keep the beard and avoid the need for a fitting completely. With this, the skin feels more comfortable, and the user can enjoy the added benefit of cooling. The blower in a PAPR system not only cleans the surrounding air but also provides airflow into the hood keeping the user relatively cool.
“The only way is to protect our front-line medical guardians with the most effective means which provide them comfort and help to improve their productivity without fear. The current dire state of emergency has given more reason than ever to rely on effective PPE,” added Peter Oberstrass, Sales Asia & South America, Optrel AG.
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