• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제60권2호
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• pp.282-288
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• 2022

코로나 팬데믹 시대에서 비말(respiratory droplet)을 통한 감염 및 확산을 막기 위해 마스크는 없어서는 안 될 생활 필수품이 되었다. 본 연구에서는 두 가지 다른 타입의 마스크(KF-94 마스크와 덴탈 마스크)가 비말 차단에 얼마나 효과적인지를 파악하기 위하여, i) 각각의 마스크를 구성하고 있는 필터의 젖음성(wettability) 특성을 분석하고, ii) 필터 표면에 빠른 속도로 충돌하는 미소 액적의 동적 거동 특성을 실험적으로 관찰하였다. 각 필터의 구성 재료에 따라 상반된 젖음성 특성, 소수성(hydrophobicity) 또는 친수성(hydrophilicity)을 보임을 확인하였다. 또한, 일정 체적을 갖는 미소 액적을 안정적으로 토출하는 공압 조건을 탐색하고 액적의 충돌 속도 변화에 따른 액적 충돌 거동 변화를 분석하였다. 마스크를 구성하고 있는 필터의 종류와 액적 충돌 속도에 따라 i) 필터를 통과하지 못하거나(no penetration), ii) 필터에 포획(capture)되거나, iii) 필터를 통과(penetration)하는 등의 다른 충돌 후 거동을 보임을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들은 비말 차단용 마스크 디자인에 있어 매우 기본적이고 유용한 정보를 제공할 뿐만 아니라, 다양한 다공성 표면에서의 액적 거동에 대한 학문적 연구에도 도움이 될 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.109-123
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• 2020

Objectives: The aims of this study were to review the standards and key components of the standards for disposable masks in Korea, the US, EU, Japan, and China and to evaluate the appropriateness of disposable masks during a virus pandemic. Methods: We reviewed the standards in the above countries and compared their key elements for each standard. For the second purpose, systemic paper gathering using key words like 'mask', 'respirator' 'virus', and 'coronavirus' in the PubMed search engine was performed. Fifty-three papers were selected and reviewed in regard to the appropriateness of test protocols with sodium chloride(NaCl) particles for virus filtration and the effectiveness against viruses. Results: The standards for masks are largely divided into two categories: US standards and EU standards. In Korea, the Ministry of Employment and Labor adapted the EU standards for workers and the Health Masks adopted the Ministry of Employment and Labor standards by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Regarding airborne viral infections, WHO emphasizes only droplet infection, while many studies have shown that small particles enter the air through coughing or sneezing, which increases the possibility of airborne infection. Compared to other particles, various factors such as airborne viability and the ability to replicate the virus in the body are further involved in the virus's airborne infection rate. Airborne infection is classified into absolute air infection, preferential air infection, and opportunistic air infection. The NaCl-certified N95 mask showed good filtration efficiency against viruses and NaCl particles were proved to be a surrogate material for viruses. From this, KF94 is also expected to be effective in blocking viruses. Conclusion: The N95 test method could be used as a surrogate test method for virus filtration. N95-class masks have been found to effectively block viral infections in the air. However, surgical or medical masks are only partially effective against airborne virus infection though they could effectively block large droplet infection. However, most studies considered in this study targeted N95 in foreign countries and studies on masks actually used in Korea are very limited, so studies on microorganisms and reuse on domestic masks should be conducted in the future.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.163-174
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the knowledge, attitude, and wearing of four types of personal protective equipment among dental hygienists based on to the COVID-19 infection control guidelines and to provide basic data on the need to wear these equipment by dental hygienists in dental medical institutions. Methods: Between March 31 and April 26, 2022, 285 dental hygienists working at dental institutions in Busan and Gyeongsang Provinces participated in the study. Results: The higher the knowledge on personal protective equipment, the higher the glove-wearing rate; and the higher the attitude toward personal protective equipment, the higher the KF94 mask-wearing rate. Furthermore, the higher the rate of wearing face shields, the higher the rate of wearing gloves and full-body protective suits; and the higher the rate of wearing gloves, the higher the rate of wearing a full-body protective suit. Conclusions: To prevent cross-infection by dental hygienists in dental medical institutions, it is necessary to have the four types of personal protective equipment at all times and to strengthen comprehensive education on these equipment

• 한국의류학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.516-538
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• 2020

The present study investigated regional and sex differences in knowledge, perception, cognition and behavior of fine-dust protective masks for periods of high concentration of fine dust in Korea. A total of 2,012 adults from seven provinces responded to the questionnaire. The results (all p<.05) showed that 78% of respondents considered pollution from China to be the greatest contributor of fine dust. Seoul and Gyeonggi residents more frequently checked fine dust forecasts than other provinces and consulted their smartphone applications to do so more than other residents. Jeju, Gwangwon, and Jeonla residents had less knowledge of KF 80, 94, and 99 masks than residents of other provinces. Gwangwon and Jeju residents had less trust in the effectiveness of protective masks than other residents. Females perceived themselves as unhealthier respiratory, more frequently checked the concentration of fine dust, trusted more the effectiveness of masks, and more frequently wore masks, compared to male respondents. Those who self-identified their respiratory function as poor, more frequently checked fine dust forecasting, and had greater knowledge of masks, which resulted in greater trust in the protective function of masks, and finally had higher wear frequency of masks for days with high concentrations of fine dust.