Noninvasive ventilation masks with viral filters to protect health care workers from SARS-CoV-2 / Coronavirus infections

Abstract Background:There is a shortage of masks and respirators for the protection of health care professionals during the current SARS-CoV-2 / Coronavirus pandemic. Masks for non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in combination with viral-proof filters could serve as an alternative protection measure. We wanted to determine the aerosol filtering efficacies of such devices in comparison to conventional surgical masks, N95 and FFP3 respirators.Method:Masks and respirators were mounted on a ventilated mannequin head in a test-chamber. Absorption of radioactive particles was measured compared to a non-filtered reference port.Results: Filter efficacies were 93.3 ± 1.5 % for a ResMed AcuCare NIV-mask plus filter, 71.2 ± 0.2 % for a ResMed Mirage Quattro FX NIV-mask plus filter, 89.4 ± 0.9 % for a Loewenstein JOYCEclinc FF NIV-mask plus filter, 48.4 ± 4 % for a surgical mask with rubber band, 60.5 ± 9.1 % for a surgical mask with ribbons, 56.9 ± 7.5 % for a FFP3 respirator, 64.5 % ± 5.1 for a N95 respirator. The ResMed AcuCare and the Loewenstein JOYCEclinic FF mask were more effective than any other of the tested devices (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively)Conclusion:NIV masks with viral-proof filters effectively filter respirable particles. Two tested NIV masks were more effective than the tested FFP3 and N95 respirators.