Made in Canada Reusable High Efficiency Respirators to Protect Against Spread of COVID-19
The goal of the partnership is to produce reusable, high efficiency respirators for protection against aerosol transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The proposed research project will evaluate the performance of hybrid, natural-synthetic fabric blends for use as filter media in reusable respirators. Two key performance parameters will be measured: filtration efficiency and pressure drop. Filter performance will be studied as a function of dry and wet loading, and over repeated cleaning and sanitization cycles. Data generated through these tests will guide the partner organization, working with public health authorities, in drafting extended use recommendations for reusable respirators, including instructions for cleaning and sanitizing filter media.
Development of a Canadian supply of high efficiency, reusable respirators will have potential impact in relieving the current supply shortage of respirators, thereby opening the door for such respirators to become widely available to the general public.
