Feasibility study of a low-cost powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR): A hospital-based simulation study to assess the perception of healthcare professionals

Background There is a need for affordable and effective air-filtering respirators, that provide the user protection against infection and are comfortable to wear. Among the various air-filtering respirators, powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) that supply the user with filtered air through a powered system provide better protection than the commonly used N-95 masks, that directly filters the air that surrounds the user, with filtration efficiency of these procedures being up to 99.99% and up to 95%, respectively. However, in India, the PAPRs are imported, making them unaffordable. Engineers at our university developed a low-cost PAPR model. We investigated the feasibility of using this low-cost PAPR as a potential air-filtering respirator as part of personal protective equipment. Methods In a simulation study, 20 woman nurses wore an N-95 mask with face shield, or the low-cost PAPR in two separate sessions and performed routine nursing tasks. They then answered questionnaires to assess their perceived comfort and suitability for the tasks. Results The low-cost PAPR provided better breathing comfort and vision. However, the current N-95 mask system was perceived to be more suitable for tasks requiring high mobility. Discussion Our study demonstrated the feasibility of the low-cost PAPR model, particularly for low-mobility tasks.