A Comparative Study of Nebuliser Type in the Assessment of Secondary Inhalation of Medical Aerosols

摘要

Secondary inhalation of medical aerosols is a significant occupational hazard in both the clinical and homecare settings. This study examines secondary emissions by nebulising albuterol sulphate, as a tracer aerosol, using two commercially available nebuliser/facemasks, VMN/valved facemask vs. JN/open facemask. Mass concentrations and size distributions during nebulisation were recorded using two Aerodynamic Particle Sizer's at different distances relative to the simulated patient. The initial results demonstrate that the VMN/valved facemask combination has a lower exhaled mass concentration.