Bacterial Filtration Efficiency or BFE is a measurement of a
respirator
A respirator is a device designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmospheres including lead, lead fumes, vapors, gases and particulate matter such as dusts and airborne pathogens such as viruses. There are two main categories o ...
material's resistance to penetration of
bacteria
Bacteria (; : bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one Cell (biology), biological cell. They constitute a large domain (biology), domain of Prokaryote, prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micr ...
. Results are reported as percent efficiency and correlate with the ability of the fabric to resist bacterial penetration. Higher numbers in this test indicate better barrier efficiency. Wrap fabrics were compared based on grade as well as basis weight.
Measurement Methodology
Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark Corporation is an American multinational consumer goods and personal care corporation that produces mostly paper-based consumer products. The company manufactures sanitary paper products and surgical & medical instruments. Kimb ...
uses a test procedure where samples were challenged with a
biological aerosol of ''
Staphylococcus aureus
''Staphylococcus aureus'' is a Gram-positive spherically shaped bacterium, a member of the Bacillota, and is a usual member of the microbiota of the body, frequently found in the upper respiratory tract and on the skin. It is often posi ...
'' and the results employ a ratio of the bacterial challenge counts to sample effluent counts, to determine percent bacterial filtration efficiency (%BFE).
Surgical mask
A surgical mask, also known by other names such as a medical face mask or procedure mask, is a personal protective equipment used by healthcare professionals that serves as a mechanical barrier that interferes with direct airflow in and out of r ...
standards in China, Europe, and the United States measure BFE by using particles of size 3.0 μm.
References
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Filtration