An Emergency Powered Air-Purifying Respirator From Local Materials and its Efficacy Against Aerosolized Nanoparticles

Abstract

We describe an approach used by a rural healthcare provider to convert surgical helmets into emergency powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach uses common materials and efficacy was demonstrated against aerosols measuring 7 nm to 25 mu m in diameter.