Abstract
We examined the effect of face masks for the Glutaral. First, in order to find out how face masks were applied in disinfection work, we conducted questionnaire survey at 45 medical facilities in Wakayama prefecture. As the result, we found that the face mask wearing rate was 51.6% and 68.8% of them wear disposable surgical masks. Next, in order to examine the effect of face masks, we conducted a service life test and an exhalation resistance test under The National Approval Test of Japan, using several kinds of face masks. As the result of the service life test, the environmental concentration of AG (0.05 ppm or less) set by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was maintained for approximately 172 hours by a G-7 type gas protection mask (G-7: koken), 33 hours by a Muskie-51 (MS-51: koken) deodorant mask, and 50 minutes by the a Keymate-E200 (KM-E200: kurare) deodorant mask. However, the effect of the surgical mask could not be verified. As the result of the exhalation resistance test, G-7 indicated a higher point of the air-flow resistance (80 Pa). Yet, MS-51, KM-E200, and the surgical masks indicated lower points of it (13 Pa, 11 Pa, and 5 Pa, respectively), showing higher air permeability. Furthermore, we conducted a man-test to examine how well face masks fit. As the result of the man-test, MS-51 had the best fitting.
From the above findings, it was found that a mask made of activated charcoal fibers which has 3-D face-contacting cushion fits curved lines of face, and can be easily used. It also has superior fitting and strong protective ability against GA.
