Six Italian non-accredited laboratories participated to an interlaboratory study aimed at measuring Differential Pressure (DP) and Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of three face-mask models using methods in-line with EN 14683 standard. Methodological non-conformities were annotated. Repeatability and reproducibility on quintuplicate samples were calculated according to ISO 5725-2. Sample stability was also assessed. Laboratories were ranked according to the total standard deviation over all samples and proficiency was evaluated using z-score according to ISO 13528. Although some non-conformities were present, performances for the DP measurements were always acceptable. One laboratory had to revise the bacterial suspension preparation for the BFE test. Overall, non-accredited laboratories working during pandemic emergency performed satisfactorily. Sample-to-sample variability impacted measurement repeatability. BFE values above 98% showed good repeatability (≤1.0%) and reproducibility (≤6.1%), but high BFE uncertainty was associated to community masks. Our findings suggest that relevant face-mask conformity standards should consider uncertainty of BFE and DP measurements.
Measuring breathability and bacterial filtration efficiency of face masks in the pandemic context: A round robin study with proficiency testing among non-accredited laboratories / Tessarolo, F.; Nollo, G.; Benedetti, L.; Helfer, F.; Rovati, L.; Ferrari, A.; Marchetti, G.; Reverberi, F.; Baglio, S.; Tuccitto, N.; Stefani, S.; Stracquadanio, S.; Caraci, F.; Terrasi, A.; Tricomi, A.; Musumeci, M.; Miraglia, A.; Cuttone, G.; Cosentino, S.; Agostino Vitali, L.; Petrelli, D.; Ilaria Ciancia, S.; Mingoia, M.; Castellini, P.; Simoni, S.; Montalto, L.; Baleani, A.; Chiariotti, P.; Paone, N.. - In: MEASUREMENT. - ISSN 0263-2241. - ELETTRONICO. - 189:(2022), p. 110481. [10.1016/j.measurement.2021.110481]
Measuring breathability and bacterial filtration efficiency of face masks in the pandemic context: A round robin study with proficiency testing among non-accredited laboratories
Tessarolo F.;Nollo G.;Benedetti L.;
2022-01-01
Abstract
Six Italian non-accredited laboratories participated to an interlaboratory study aimed at measuring Differential Pressure (DP) and Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of three face-mask models using methods in-line with EN 14683 standard. Methodological non-conformities were annotated. Repeatability and reproducibility on quintuplicate samples were calculated according to ISO 5725-2. Sample stability was also assessed. Laboratories were ranked according to the total standard deviation over all samples and proficiency was evaluated using z-score according to ISO 13528. Although some non-conformities were present, performances for the DP measurements were always acceptable. One laboratory had to revise the bacterial suspension preparation for the BFE test. Overall, non-accredited laboratories working during pandemic emergency performed satisfactorily. Sample-to-sample variability impacted measurement repeatability. BFE values above 98% showed good repeatability (≤1.0%) and reproducibility (≤6.1%), but high BFE uncertainty was associated to community masks. Our findings suggest that relevant face-mask conformity standards should consider uncertainty of BFE and DP measurements.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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