International Clinical and Medical Case Reports Journal (ISSN: 2832-5788) | Volume 2, Issue 17 | Research Article | Open Access DOI
Prarthana J*
Prarthana J1*, Aishwarya NP2, Chaithanya KN3
Department of Biotechnology, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College (Autonomous), Ujire, Karnataka, India
*Correspondence to: Prarthana J
Fulltext PDFMasks provide a simple barrier to prevent respiratory droplets spreading in the air. Respiratory infectionscanbetransmittedthroughdropletsofdifferentsizes:whenthedropletsparticlesare >5-10µm in diameterreferred to as respiratory droplets, and when the droplet particles are <5µm indiametercalledasdropletnuclei. Maskscanalsobemadeofpolystyrene,polycarbonate,polyethylene,polyester,cotton,wool,silk, linen or rayon. It creates humidity, thereby stops droplet from turning into droplet nuclei. Thestudywasbasedonthesurvey carried out in two domains, i) mask wearing profile, ii) and mask wearing related knowledge and behavior. From survey respondents random samples of different mask were collected for enumerationofmicroorganisms.Survey questionnaire revealed that 86% of participants prefer reusage of masks, 16% participants used the same mask more than 6hours in a day, out of which 44% of participants used surgical masks, 78% fabric masks and 54% N95 respirators. Statistical analysis using Pearson’scorrelation between duration and the mean CFU/ml of fabric mask and surgical mask shows weak positive correlation (r= 0.33088 and 0.02580 respectively) with duration and N95 shows strong negative correlation(r=0.55882),whichmeansN95respiratorspossesshighfiltrationefficiencycompared to others.
Masks; Respiratory; Infection
Prarthana J, Aishwarya NP, Chaithanya KN.Enumeration of Microbial Load in Used Mask. Int Clinc Med Case Rep Jour. 2023;2(17):1-23.