Respiratory Protection Against Hazardous Biological Agents

185 Pages·2020·9.415 MB·\185

by  Katarzyna Majchrzycka (Author), Małgorzata Okrasa (Author), Justyna Szulc (Author)

Respiratory Protection Against
Hazardous Biological Agents
Occupational Safety, Health, and Ergonomics:
Theory and Practice
Series Editor: Danuta Koradecka
(Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute)
This series will contain monographs, references, and professional books on a compendium of knowl-
edge in the interdisciplinary area of environmental engineering, which covers ergonomics and safety
and the protection of human health in the working environment. Its aim consists in an interdisciplin-
ary, comprehensive and modern approach to hazards, not only those already present in the working
environment, but also those related to the expected changes in new technologies and work organiza-
tions. The series aims to acquaint both researchers and practitioners with the latest research in occu-
pational safety and ergonomics. The public, who want to improve their own or their family’s safety,
and the protection of heath will find it helpful, too. Thus, individual books in this series present both
a scientific approach to problems and suggest practical solutions; they are offered in response to the
actual needs of companies, enterprises, and institutions.
Individual and Occupational Determinants: Work Ability in People
with Health Problems
Joanna Bugajska, Teresa Makowiec-Dąbrowska, Tomasz Kostka
Healthy Worker and Healthy Organization: A Resource-Based Approach
Dorota Żołnierczyk-Zreda
Emotional Labour in Work with Patients and Clients: Effects and
Recommendations for Recovery
Dorota Żołnierczyk-Zreda
New Opportunities and Challenges in Occupational Safety
and Health Management
Daniel Podgórski
Emerging Chemical Risks in the Work Environment
Małgorzata Pośniak
Visual and Non-Visual Effects of Light: Working Environment and Well-Being
Agnieszka Wolska, Dariusz Sawicki, Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
Occupational Noise and Workplace Acoustics: Advances in Measurement
and Assessment Techniques
Dariusz Pleban
Virtual Reality and Virtual Environments: A Tool for Improving Occupational
Safety and Health
Andrzej Grabowski
Head, Eye, and Face Personal Protective Equipment: New Trends, Practice
and Applications
Katarzyna Majchrzycka
Nanoaerosols, Air Filtering and Respiratory Protection: Science and Practice
Katarzyna Majchrzycka
Microbial Corrosion of Buildings: A Guide to Detection, Health Hazards,
and Mitigation
Rafał L. Górny
Respiratory Protection Against Hazardous Biological Agents
Katarzyna Majchrzycka, Justyna Szulc, Małgorzata Okrasa
For more information about this series, please visit: https://www.crcpress.
com/Occupational-Safety-Health-and-Ergonomics-Theory-and-Practice/
book-series/CRCOSHETP

Respiratory Protection Against
Hazardous Biological Agents
Authored by
Katarzyna Majchrzycka,
Małgorzata Okrasa, and Justyna Szulc
MATLAB® is a trademark of The MathWorks, Inc. and is used with permission. The MathWorks does not warrant the
accuracy of the text or exercises in this book. This book’s use or discussion of MATLAB® software or related products
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use of the MATLAB® software.
First edition published 2021
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Contents
Preface.......................................................................................................................ix
Authors ......................................................................................................................xi
Series Editor ...........................................................................................................xiii
Chapter 1 Introduction ..........................................................................................1
References ............................................................................................6
Chapter 2 Biological Agents .................................................................................9
2.1 Characteristics of Typical Biological Agents and their
Impact on Humans ..................................................................11
2.1.1 Filamentous Fungi and Substances of
Fungal Origin .............................................................11
2.1.2 Bacteria and the Substances of Bacterial Origin .......16
2.1.3 Viruses ........................................................................18
2.1.4 Ticks ...........................................................................19
2.1.5 Pollen ..........................................................................20
2.1.6 Other Potentially Harmful Agents .............................20
2.2 Review of Working Environments with Exposure to
Biological Agents ....................................................................21
2.2.1 Healthcare and Related Professions ...........................22
2.2.2 Agriculture, Agri-Food Industry and Related
Professions ..................................................................23
2.2.3 Waste and Wastewater Management and Related
Professions ..................................................................27
2.2.4 Public Utility Facilities and Cultural
Heritage Sites .............................................................30
2.3 Factors Affecting the Survival of Microorganisms in the
Working Environment .............................................................33
2.3.1 Microbial Nutrition ....................................................34
2.3.2 Microbial Growth .......................................................37
2.3.3 Influence of Temperature ...........................................38
2.3.4 Influence of Hydrogen Ions ........................................41
2.3.5 Influence of the Redox Potential ................................42
2.3.6 Influence of Water Activity ........................................44
2.3.7 Influence of Hydrostatic Pressure ..............................45
2.3.8 Influence of Other Factors ..........................................46
2.3.9 Microorganisms in Natural Environments .................47
2.3.10 Microbial Communication .........................................49
References ..........................................................................................50
vii
viii Contents
Chapter 3 Principles of Biosafety in the Working Environment ........................59
3.1 Regulations and Guidelines on Biosafety ................................60
3.2 Practical Aspects .....................................................................68
References ..........................................................................................75
Chapter 4 Personal Respiratory Protection .........................................................79
4.1 Legislation Ensuring the Safe Use of Personal Protective
Equipment in the Working Environment ................................79
4.2 Characteristics of Basic Types of Equipment
Recommended for Respiratory Protection Against
Biological Agents ....................................................................83
4.2.1 Filters and Filtering Half Masks ................................84
4.2.2 Positive-Pressure Filtering Respiratory
Protective Devices ......................................................88
4.3 Efficiency Assessment of Respiratory Protective Devices
Protecting Against Biological Agents .....................................90
4.3.1 Filtration Efficiency ....................................................91
4.3.2 Bioactivity ..................................................................92
4.4 Risk Factors for the Use of Respiratory Protective
Devices Protecting Against Biological Agents .......................96
References ........................................................................................103
Chapter 5 Ways to Improve the Safety of Filtering Respiratory Protective
Devices Against Bioaerosols ............................................................107
5.1 Predictive Modelling .............................................................107
5.1.1 Mathematical Models in Microbiology ....................109
5.1.2 It Tools used in Predictive Modelling ......................117
5.1.3 Applications of Predictive Modelling ......................120
5.1.4 Use of Mathematical Modelling in Relation to
the Work Environment .............................................125
5.1.5 Predictive Models for Estimating the Survival
of Microorganisms in Bioaerosol and Filtering
Nonwovens ...............................................................128
5.2 Bioactive Nonwovens for the Construction of Filtering
Respiratory Protective Devices .............................................132
5.2.1 Biocidal Compounds for the Modification of
Filtering Nonwovens ................................................132
5.2.2 Antimicrobial Nonwovens ........................................135
References ........................................................................................142
Chapter 6 Good Practices for the Selection and Use of Respiratory
Protective Devices ............................................................................153
References ........................................................................................164
Index ......................................................................................................................165
Preface
This book was developed to provide safety professionals, students and employ-
ees with the general concepts and specific issues concerning individual protection
against biological agents that can be transmitted through airborne route in different
working environments. The basic principle of prevention in case of such hazards is
the elimination or minimisation of their effects. It often means that the appropriate
respiratory protective devices should be selected and the reduction of microorgan-
isms’ growth during the use of such devices should be ensured.
The book contains information useful for the reader at the stage of acquiring and
improving knowledge about the correct shaping of the principles of safe work envi-
ronment in the conditions where workers might be exposed to harmful bioaerosols.
Particular emphasis was placed on presenting the basic characteristics of biological
factors and their effects on the human body. The aspects of individual respiratory
protection against such hazards are then discussed in detail.
Based on our own research and the extensive review of the literature, the phe-
nomenon related to the microbial growth in filtering materials is presented along
with the description of specific risks for users of respiratory protective devices. Next,
practical aspects concerning the mitigation of risks associated with the use of filter-
ing equipment for protection against bioaerosol are pointed out and discussed. They
include the possibility of modelling these phenomena in order to predict the effects
of using the equipment as well as construction of simple rules of its proper selection,
fitting, storage and utilisation.
While reading the book, those involved with assuring that a safe and healthy
workplace is provided to workers will find answers to all questions related to how
to assess the risk of exposure to biological agents and properly select respiratory
protective devices. Readers will also find out how to correctly use these devices to
minimise the risk of infection spreading due to the development of microorganisms
during its donning, doffing and use.
MATLAB® is a registered trademark of The Math Works, Inc. For product informa-
tion, please contact:
The Math Works, Inc.
3 Apple Hill Drive
Natick, MA 01760-2098
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.mathworks.com
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