Introduction: Bioaerosols significantly contribute to infection transmission. Nebulization increases the degree of fugitive aerosols and is limited in use during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, nebulized medications may be an important part of treatment. A novel scavenger device was developed and attaches to a simple face mask. Allowing for nebulized medication delivery, it additionally scavenges fugitive aerosol, which can be used for diagnostic evaluation. Preliminary scavenger data for nebulized DNA and the diagnostic yield with an inline filter system are presented. Methods: The novel scavenger device was 3D printed and attached to a simple face mask. The vacuum port of the scavenger device was attached to wall suction with an inline flow meter. The face mask with attached device was then secured to a manikin. DNA-coated 1 micrometer spheres were nebulized from the manikin’s mouth for 15 minutes at a nebulized rate of 6L/min. Sampling sites included left and right air sampling at 50 L/min, the interior face mask surface, and an inline filter to capture scavenged DNA. Standard cycle threshold detection curves were obtained for each DNA oligo used. Results: Sampling comparing ‘off-vacuum’ nebulization to ‘on vacuum’ nebulization demonstrated no significant environmental contamination identified during 'on vacuum’ nebulization by the airborne samplers. Preliminary data for cycle threshold values found an average log reduction of 2.75 in total copies of nebulized DNA. More than 99% of the nebulized DNA was scavenged with suction on compared to 45% with suction off. Similarly, during 'on vacuum', DNA diagnostic yield collected on the filter paper had an average log DNA copy of 3.834396. Conclusion: Preliminary data indicate this device, in combination with commonly available transport and hospital equipment, was successful in preventing environmental contamination when nebulizing solutions coated with DNA. It also demonstrated the ability to scavenge enough DNA for diagnostic purposes. Future studies will include medication administration effectiveness and other diagnostic sampling mechanisms.
Zeger et al. (Sun,) studied this question.