Background: This study aims to assess whether the TSI PortaCount (Model 8020) is a measuring instrument comparable with the flame photometer. This would provide an indication for the suitability of the PortaCount for determining the workplace protection factor for particulate filtering facepiece respirators.
Methods: The PortaCount (with and without the N95-Companion™) was compared with a stationary flame photometer from Moores (Wallisdown) Ltd (Type 1100), which is a measuring instrument used in the procedure for determining the total inward leakage of the particulate filtering facepiece respirator in the European Standard. Penetration levels of sodium chloride aerosol through sample respirators of two brands (A and B) were determined by the two measuring systems under laboratory conditions. For each brand, thirty-six measurements were conducted. The samples were split into groups according to their protection level, conditioning before testing, and aerosol concentration. The relationship between the gauged data from two measuring systems was determined. In addition, the particle size distribution inside the respirator and outside the respirator was documented. Linear regression analysis was used to calculate the association between the PortaCount (with and without the N95-Companion™) and the flame photometer.
Results: A linear relationship was found between the raw data scaled with the PortaCount (without N95-Companion™) and the data detected by the flame photometer (R = 0.9704) under all test conditions. The distribution of particle size was found to be the same inside and outside the respirator in almost all cases.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained data, the PortaCount may be applicable for the determination of workplace protection factor.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2019.11.001 | DOI Listing |
BMC Nurs
January 2025
College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea.
Background: Organizational well-being is a critical issue that should be addressed within nursing organizations as it boosts the morale and work motivation of its members by enhancing their satisfaction and happiness.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the levels of positive psychological capital, shared leadership, and organizational well-being among nurses, and examine the impact of positive psychological capital and shared leadership on organizational well-being.
Methods: A descriptive survey research design was used, involving 177 nurses with at least one year of work experience at highly specialized hospitals in Korea treating patients with severe conditions.
BMJ Open
January 2025
Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Objective: To identify physician perspectives on factors associated with physician burnout, protective factors against burnout, and to seek potential solutions for this pervasive problem.
Design: A qualitative study with semistructured focus group interviews using a systematic framework analysis.
Setting And Participants: Physicians from general internal medicine (GIM) and the emergency department (ED) at two urban tertiary care hospitals in Vancouver, Canada, were recruited.
Int J Occup Saf Ergon
December 2024
Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Warszawa, Poland.
. Technological development in the field of access to work has caused changes in the market and developed new strategies of professional activity. Within the gig economy, new forms of work have emerged.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Occup Environ Hyg
January 2025
Institute of Physical Factors and Occupational Health, Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
The noise exposure levels of workers wearing hearing protective devices (HPDs) depend on ambient noise and the protective effect of hearing protectors. This cross-sectional study aimed to adjust for cumulative noise exposure (CNE) based on the effective protection of hearing protection devices and explore the dose-response relationship between noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and adjusted cumulative noise exposure. A questionnaire was used to acquire the basic characteristics and occupational information of noise-exposed workers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Occup Environ Hyg
January 2025
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington.
Recently, the misuse of fentanyl and methamphetamine has increased in the United States. These drugs can be consumed via smoking a powder, which can subsequently contaminate air and surfaces with drug residue. With limited access to safe consumption sites, this misuse often occurs in public spaces such as public transit, leading to potential secondhand exposures among transit operators and riders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!