Efficiency of Respiratory Protective Equipment in the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Abstract

Abstract: Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is in high demand during epidemics and pandemics. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has demonstrated that the global industry had insufficient capacity for providing people with high-efficiency respirators. In this context, it is important to assess the protective properties of equipment designed to prevent the spread of infections. In this review, the hydrodynamic and filtering characteristics of modern RPE types present in the market, as well as their consumer performance, are analyzed taking into account the properties of virus-bearing aerosols. Approaches to developing novel, more efficient fiber-based RPE are proposed.