The Usage of an Air Purifier Device with HEPA 14 Filter during Dental Procedures in COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Paolo Capparè, Raffaele D’Ambrosio, Renato De Cunto, Atanaz Darvizeh, Matteo Nagni and Enrico Gherlone
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Paolo Capparè: Department of Dentistry, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
Raffaele D’Ambrosio: Department of Dentistry, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
Renato De Cunto: Department of Dentistry, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
Atanaz Darvizeh: Department of Dentistry, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
Matteo Nagni: Department of Dentistry, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
Enrico Gherlone: Department of Dentistry, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an air purifier device (professional XXl inn-561 innoliving) with HEPA 14 filter in reducing the number of suspended particles generated during dental procedures as a vector of COVID-19 transmission. The survey was conducted on 80 individuals who underwent Oral Surgery with dental Hygiene Procedures, divided into two groups based on the operational risk classification related to dental procedures: a Test Group (with application of filtering device) and a Control Group (without filtering device). All procedures were monitored throughout the clinical controls, utilising professional tools such as molecular particle counters (Lasair III 350 L 9.50 L/min), bacteriological plates (Tryptic Soy Agar), sound meters for LAFp sound pressure level (SPL) and LCpk instantaneous peak level. The rate of suspended particles, microbiological pollution and noise pollution were calculated. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis method. The results showed the higher efficacy of the TEST Group on pollution abatement, 83% more than the Control fgroup. Additionally, the contamination was reduced by 69–80%. Noise pollution was not noticeable compared to the sounds already present in the clinical environment. The addition of PAC equipment to the already existing safety measures was found to be significantly effective in further microbiological risk reduction.

Keywords: COVID-19; HEPA filter; decontamination; aerosols; droplets (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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