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Project Title:
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Development of Reusable Facemasks for Use During an Influenza Pandemic
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PIN:
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HSPX-H-06-01-A
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Major Unit:
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Institute of Medicine
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Sub Unit:
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Board on Health Sciences Policy
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RSO:
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Meyer, Emily Ann
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Subject/Focus Area:
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Project Scope
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The IOM will conduct a fast-track study that will result in a report no later
than three months after contract initiation with recommendations for (a)
measures that would allow reuse of disposable N95 respirators and (b)
developing reusable face masks for the public to reduce person-to-person spread
of influenza. In developing these recommendations, consideration will be given
to resource limitations and cost implications of implementing such
recommendations. Specifically, the committee will address the following two
major issues in the report:
1. The first issue to be addressed in the report concerns measures that can be
taken that would permit the reuse of disposable N95 respirators in healthcare
settings. Examples of the types of questions that will be considered include:
what modifications can easily be made in the manufacturing process that would
permit these respirators to be reused without increasing the likelihood of
infection with the flu virus; and what practices in caring for, wearing, and
cleaning could be implemented to safely extend the effective lifetime of
disposable N95 respirators? The number of available respirators is only one
limiting factor in the context of a pandemic. Fit-testing of N95 respirators
may not be practical for healthcare facilities to sustain on a large scale
during a pandemic when very large proportions of staff might need to wear
respirators. If a simple adjustment or modification in the manufacturing
process could obviate that need, such a recommendation would also be highly
useful to HHS.
2. The second issue to be addressed in the report concerns the need for
reusable masks for health care providers and the general public. In the event
of an extended pandemic, there will be the inevitable increasing demand by the
public for masks, which cannot be met by the current, or even ramped-up U.S.
production of disposable masks. Examples of the types of questions related to
design of reusable masks that will be considered include: what materials would
be effective; what would be an acceptable level of fluid resistance and
filtration efficiency (e.g., to prevent respiratory droplets from being
dispersed, and to reduce individual exposure to potentially infectious
material, that is to say, ensure that reusable masks for non-infected
individuals filter in-flowing air to minimize exposure to the flu virus, and
reusable masks for infected individuals minimize the chances that these
individuals will infect others); and what characteristics would be optimal for
such variables as wearability and ease of removal, durability, ease and
effectiveness of washing, and cost effectiveness for widespread public use.
Additional issues the committee may consider in the context of the above
questions include:
* Any minor modifications in the N95 manufacturing process that would
obviate the need for fit-testing of these respirators.
* Cost-effective alternatives to N95 respirators and surgical masks that
could provide adequate levels of protection and could be used against the flu
virus during a pandemic.
* Specifications, properties and design of a reusable disposable
respirator for use by healthcare personnel that would have better fit
characteristics than existing surgical masks, and filtration characteristics
appropriate for preventing exposure to infectious respiratory droplets (e.g.,
materials that would be effective; appropriate fit characteristics; appropriate
barrier characteristics; appropriate filtration characteristics; durability;
ease and effectiveness of washing; possible novel surface treatments to
decrease viral infectivity).
* Recommendations on providing appropriate training and use guidance to
the general public.
* Practical advice on alternatives, including the potential
effectiveness of easily-obtainable items (e.g., handkerchiefs, scarves,
fabrics) and rationale for whether and how to select from among such options if
other alternatives are not available.
* Identification of research questions for short- and long-term study
regarding respiratory protection against infectious diseases.
The project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The approximate start date for the project is January 4, 2006
A report will be issued at the end of the project in approximately 4 months
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Project Duration:
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4 months
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Provide FEEDBACK on this project.
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202.334.2000