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Catherine Xiong

Powered Air-Purifying Respirators: The Future of Healthcare Protection?

With the current COVID-19 pandemic continuing further into the year, scientists are considering the new possibilities of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for the future. But how can we implement these new concepts into our lives? Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR) can not only provide clean and breathable air to its user but their surroundings as well. Normalizing this piece of technology could prove to be a major advantage for us in our battle against COVID-19.

Powered Air-Purifying Respirators are in the category of the least familiar pieces of PPE. However, when used properly, they can provide us with more aerosol protection than the N95 and other Facepiece Respirators. They are reusable, meaning they could alleviate the pollution of disposable masks which we are familiarizing ourselves with. In some cases, people are forced to use disposable masks due to health concerns, but the standardization of PAPR would be able to give the necessary protection while avoiding the negative long term environmental effects. With integrated eyes and nose protection and higher filtration, they offer us the protection that we need to feel confident and safe during school and our daily routines. Don’t let the bulky demeanour intimidate you; in some cases, they are claimed to be more comfortable since you get regular airflow!

If this piece of personal protection is so well-rounded, why can’t we find them at our local London Drugs? This is due to many factors. One would be its high manufacturing cost--not surprising, considering its incorporating of modern technology. Another we could consider would be its inconvenient size and weight. In spite of this, there are many research centers around the globe that are working towards an ultra-portable low-cost improvised powered air-purifying respirator. In brief, a research lab in Singapore has managed to cut manufacturing cost down to around $200 instead of the minimum $1000, and the weight of the device is much more reasonable as well. Even though they are improvised, their studies show that users will receive proper oxygen saturation (which is the percentage that shows how much oxygen is running through your blood) and almost identical levels of protection.

The notion of being able to have this piece of equipment--rendered into its low cost and portable form-- incorporated into our daily lives is a reassuring thought. Many retail companies like LG are launching devices with the same concept in the market for the near future. However, we are in times where this ideal is still not possible, making our personal efforts of protecting ourselves and others through physical distancing and masks more crucial than ever.


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