Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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A Study on the Mask Microbial Contamination by Working Environment and Wearing Time

착용자 환경 및 시간에 대한 마스크 미생물 오염 연구

  • Seo, Hyekyung (College of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University) ;
  • Kwon, Young-il (College of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University) ;
  • Lee, Seong Yeoun (Dongnam Health University) ;
  • Kang, Byoung-kab (Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Myong, Jun-Pyo (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Jang, Hoyeong (College of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University) ;
  • Kim, HuiJu (College of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University) ;
  • Shim, SuA (College of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University) ;
  • Park, SungWook (College of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University)
  • 서혜경 (신한대학교 바이오생태보건대학) ;
  • 권영일 (신한대학교 바이오생태보건대학) ;
  • 이성연 (동남보건대학교) ;
  • 강병갑 (한국한의학연구원) ;
  • 명준표 (가톨릭대학교 서울성모병원) ;
  • 장호영 (신한대학교 바이오생태보건대학) ;
  • 김희주 (신한대학교 바이오생태보건대학) ;
  • 심수아 (신한대학교 바이오생태보건대학) ;
  • 박성욱 (신한대학교 바이오생태보건대학)
  • Received : 2021.10.09
  • Accepted : 2021.12.06
  • Published : 2021.12.30
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Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate differences in microbial contamination according to the duration and environment of mask wearing. Methods: Forty-five participants were recruited from workers in an offices, multi-purpose facilities, and a schools. After wearing of KF94 mask for two. four, and six hours, the microorganisms adsorbed on the outer and inner layers of the mask were inoculated on BAP(Blood Agar Plate), Chocolate agar, and SDA plates. The bacterial count (CFUs: colony-forming units) cultured in each plate was measured and analyzed for changes in filtration efficiency. Results: The microbial contamination of masks worn in classrooms, offices, and multi-purpose facilities showed a significant difference depending on the environment (p<0.000). The measured CFUs increased significantly according to the time wearing the mask. The difference between the inner and outer layers of the mask was also significant (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the filtration efficiency of the masks by duration time (p=0.515). Conclusions: Masks worn by workers in the offices, multi-purpose facilities, and schools showed an increase of microbial contamination with the amount of time wearing the mask. The results indicate that the masks used in daily life may have adverse health effects if they are worn for a long time or reused over several days without the realizing that the masks can be contaminated with biological hazards. Guidelines on the safe threshold time for mask use should be established through further research.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구가 진행될 수 있도록 연구비 및 장비를 흔쾌히 지원해주신 (주)도부라이프텍 김일순 회장님, 김성진 부회장님께 깊이 감사드립니다. 다중시설 및 사무환경 그리고 학교환경에서 다양한 참여자를 섭외할 수 있도록 도움주신 모든분들께도 감사드립니다.

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