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KMID : 1039220210310040427
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Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
2021 Volume.31 No. 4 p.427 ~ p.439
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A Study on the Mask Microbial Contamination by Working Environment and Wearing Time
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Seo Hye-Kyung
Kwon Young-Il
Lee Seong-Yeoun
Kang Byoung-Kab
Myong Jun-Pyo
Jang Ho-Yeong
Kim Hui-Ju
Shim Su-A
Park Sung-Wook
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Abstract
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Objectives: This study aims to investigate differences in microbial contamination according to the duration and environment of mask wearing.
Methods: Forty-five participants were recruited from workers in an offices, multi-purpose facilities, and a schools. After wearing of KF94 mask for two. four, and six hours, the microorganisms adsorbed on the outer and inner layers of the mask were inoculated on BAP(Blood Agar Plate), Chocolate agar, and SDA plates. The bacterial count (CFUs: colony-forming units) cultured in each plate was measured and analyzed for changes in filtration efficiency.
Results: The microbial contamination of masks worn in classrooms, offices, and multi-purpose facilities showed a significant difference depending on the environment (p<0.000). The measured CFUs increased significantly according to the time wearing the mask. The difference between the inner and outer layers of the mask was also significant (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the filtration efficiency of the masks by duration time (p=0.515).
Conclusions: Masks worn by workers in the offices, multi-purpose facilities, and schools showed an increase of microbial contamination with the amount of time wearing the mask. The results indicate that the masks used in daily life may have adverse health effects if they are worn for a long time or reused over several days without the realizing that the masks can be contaminated with biological hazards. Guidelines on the safe threshold time for mask use should be established through further research.
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KEYWORD
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biological hazards, CFU(colony-forming units), filter efficiency, KF94 mask, microbial contamination
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