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Concepts of Industrial HygieneExposure / PPE / WarningsApplied to COVID-19 & MasksStephen E. Petty, P.E., C.I.H., C.S.P. - EES Group, Inc.September 4, 20211
BACKGROUND President and Owner of EESGroup, Inc. (Forensic EngineeringCompany – Since 1996 – 25years) Section Manager and Sr.Research Engineer, ColumbiaGas (10 years) Sr. Research Engineer, Battelle(10 years).2
PETTY QUALIFICATIONS Education: B.S. Ch. E., M.S. Ch. E. (honors at bothlevels) and M.B.A. (1st in Class) Sr. Research Scientist – Battelle Sr. Research Engineer/Section Manager - R&D –Columbia Gas President, EES Group – Engineering EHS Company,Columbus, OH. – 100s of projects CIH (National Certification), C.S.P. & ProfessionalEngineer (OH, FL, PA, WV, KY, and TX) National Exposure/PPE Expert (e.g., MonsantoRoundup, DuPont C-8); 400 Cases Selected to determine general causation outside oflitigation on dozens of projects (e.g., Iraqi Docs –Allegany Ballistics Lab – Columbus Blue Jackets; Prof.Hockey locker room – Columbus College of Art &Design, CMH Airport RA) Adjunct Professor – Franklin University (TeachEnvironmental and Earth Sciences) Nine U.S. Patents – mostly wrt Heat Pumps.3
PETTY QUALIFICATIONS Memberships: American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) American Conference of Governmental Ind. Hygienists (ACGIH) American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) American Society of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning andRefrigeration Engineers (ASHRAE); Member ASHRAE 40 Std. andTC 8.3 American IAQ Council Sigma Xi.4
PETTY PODCASTSAll this information detailed in Video Petty PodcastsPodcasts #2 through #6:In Google you should find us at Rumble & YouTube - the links are:https://rumble.com/c/PettyPodcasts - not censored – see #5-6 and pqd5dA-Og Ag - censored!5
SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPPORTOakstone Academy (Special Needs School) – Westerville, OH– Dr. Becky Morrison – Two Podcasts – No Masks /Engineering Controls – Implemented August 2020:Part 1 Video Link (Dr. Morrision): -and.Part 2 Video Link (Stephen Petty): https://youtu.be/oYEo4T6V25wSchool and Students Doing Well without Masks for 2020-2021 School Year6
LITIGATION SUPPORT1. Boone County, Kentucky – Testified on May 17, 2021against the Governor’s Mask Mandate2. Alchua County, FL – County Mask Mandate – Named Expert – OnHold – 4/21/20213. Polk County Public Schools, FL – Filed Affidavit Against Masks andfor Engineering Controls– 6/1/217
DEFINITION OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE (AIHA)“That science and art devoted to the anticipation,recognition, evaluation, and control of thoseenvironmental factors or stressors arising in or from theworkplace, which may cause sickness, impaired healthand well-being, or significant discomfort amongworkers or among the citizens of the community.”Key Tenants of the Field of Industrial Hygiene (to stop or limit exposures):1. Anticipation2. Recognition3. Evaluation4. Control.8
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE (IH) Field Associated with Exposure, PPE, andWarnings Not Recognized by Much of the Public, Media, &Governmental Officials – Thus Media often relyon M.D.s Instead for Information on ControllingExposures Not Associated with Dentistry!9
EXPOSURE ROUTESExposure, in General, Can Occur from One of FourPrimary Pathways – For COVID it is the Inhalation Path: Inhalation Dermal Ingestion Intravenous.10
EXPOSUREExposure is a function of 2 main parameters:1. Concentrations – lower is better.2. Time(s) – less time better.Distance – further away from source is better - sometimes.11
IH HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS –To Minimize Exposure(s)Most EffectiveSubstitution / Elimination(N/A to COVID)Engineering Controls(Dilution / Destruction / Containment)Administrative Controls(Limit Times in Exposure Area)PPE(e.g., respirators)(not Masks)Least EffectiveMasks12
SO WHERE ARE THE BOUDARIES?Not PPE – Cannot be SealedPPE – Can be SealedN-95Half FaceRespiratorMasks are not Respirators: Terms often Conflated13
Masks vs PPE – What Does OSHA Say?OSHA Confuses the Public – Says Wear Masks on Pg. 1 but onPg. 6 says they are not protective Masks are not Respirators: - Terms often Conflated – Leak around edges andcannot be fit tested. CDC says the ention - downloaded 2/19/202114
Masks vs PPE – CDC Says the Same ThingCDC Also Confuses the Public – Says Wear Masks but says fs/understanddifferenceinfographic-508.pdf - downloaded 2/20/202115
Masks Not Good for Fire Smoke Particles butOK for Small COVID-19 ParticlesParticles from smoke tend to be very small, with a size range near thewavelength of visible light (0.4–0.7 micrometers) – Cloth masks won’t work.But COVID-19 Particles are 0.1 microns (micrometers) – smaller sizedparticles but will work.WHAT – Does this make any ire smoke covid-19.html & df - downloaded 8/14/2021
CLOTH MASKS NOT EFFECTIVE BUT STILLUSE THEMEffectiveness of Cloth Masks for Protection Against Severe AcuteRespiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 by Abrar A. Chughtai, HollySeale, and C. Raina Macintyre, 2020 – Published by CDC)States: “In 2015, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare theefficacy of cloth masks with that of medical masks and controls (standardpractice) among healthcare workers in Vietnam (4). Rates of infection wereconsistently higher among those in the cloth mask group than in the medicalmask and control groups. This finding suggests that risk for infection washigher for those wearing cloth masks.“Yet, they say use mask because: “The primary transmission routes for severeacute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are thought to beinhalation of respiratory droplets and close contact.”NO, Not Surfaces or Droplets, but Aerosols!17
Some Very New AnalysesRegarding Masks18
RECALL IH HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS –To Minimize Exposure(s)Most EffectiveSubstitution / Elimination(N/A to COVID)Engineering Controls(Dilution / Destruction / Containment)Administrative Controls(Limit Times in Exposure Area)PPE(e.g., respirators)(not Masks)Least EffectiveMasks19
AIHA GUIDANCE DOCUMENTAmerican Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)September 9, 2020 Guidanceon COVID-19 from ce-Document.pdf
AIHA VERSION – Hierarchy of idance-Document.pdf
AIHA – Relative Risk Guidance-Document.pdf
AIHA – What Does This Mean?Exposure Controls Must Have a RelativeRisk (RR) Reduction Threshold of 90%!Masks only have RR of 5% to 10% and DoNot Meet 90% Threshold. 6 ACH – Ventilation has RR of 90 %.N-95s – Maybe ce-Document.pdf
AIHA – Mask Remarks“While not evaluated in this study, face sealleakage is further known to decrease therespiratory protection offered by fabricmaterials. Aerosol penetration for facemasks made with loosely held fabricmaterials occurs in both directions (inhaledand exhaled). Due to their loose fittingnature and the leakage that occurs evenwhen a face mask is properly worn, amodifying factor of 25% was applied. e-Document.pdf
AIHA – Mask Remarks“The impact of typical leakage and frequentnon-compliance with proper use and wear,is the basis for a generous estimate of 510% relative risk reduction for face masksand cloth face ls-Guidance-Document.pdf
AIHA – Concluding Remarks.In light of the limited level of relativerisk reduction offered by face coverings andmasks the AIHA has recommendedengineering controls be used to reduce therisk of exposure in indoor environments,which is anticipated to reduce thetransmission of disease, even in nonhealthcare settings.MERV 17 Filtration Systems s-Guidance-Document.pdf
OTHER NEGATIVE EFFECTSOF WEARING MASKSInt. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 4344. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph1808434427
OTHER NEGATIVE EFFECTSOF WEARING MASKSInt. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 4344. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph1808434428
OTHER NEGATIVE EFFECTSOF WEARING MASKSInt. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 4344. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph1808434429
RESPIRATORS CAN BE FIT TESTED AND SEALEDUnder OSHA, Respirators Intended as Respiratory Protection(29 CFR 1910.134)WorstN-95 (Worst)Air1/2 Face/Full FacePurifyingSuppliedAirBest30
EVEN SUPPLIERS OF N95s WARN AGAINST USEFOR AEROSOLS & INFECTIOUS DISEASEEven an N95 Respirator is notrecommended for larger asbestos particles,aerosols, or to stop illness or disease.How can a mask do this? It CANNOT.31
Shah et al., 2021 – Effectiveness of Masks32
Shah et al., 2021 – Effectiveness of MasksAbstract: Filtration Efficiencies: High-efficiency masks (R95 & KN95): 60% and46% respectively. Cloth Masks (10%). Surgical masks (12%).Not Conservative Because:-Used 1 µm particles (COVID-19 0.1 µm).-Sealed mask – no gaps – “Hole(y) Mask” Podcast.33
Shah et al., 2021 – Effectiveness of MasksAbstract: Engineering Controls Better:The results also suggest that, while higher ventilationcapacities are required to fully mitigate aerosol buildup, even relatively low air-change rates (2 h-1) lead tolower aerosol build-up compared to the bestperforming mask in an unventilated space.Note the use of the term “aerosol.”34
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 –Respiratory Protection Standard (RPS)OSHA 1910.134 RPS ParametersMaskRespiratorMedical Clearance to WearNoYesAbility to Wear Facial Hair – BeardYesNoInitial Fit Test RequirementNoYesAnnual Requirement to Fit TestNoYesChange-out Criteria for Filter/Cartridge NoYesTraining on Use of Mask/RespiratorNoYesTraining on Storage of Mask/Resp.NoYesAudit of Effectiveness of ProgramNoYesCONCLUSION: Masks do not meet key OSHA RPS Requirements!35
CDC vs rosolsAerosolsAerosolsIt’s Always Been About the Little Guys (Aerosols - 5 µm)36
RECALL SEEING DUST IN THE AIRVisible Dust in Sunlight: 50 µm; 500 times larger than COVID-1937
How Big is a Micron vs Human Hair Diameter?Black Ring is Cross Sectionof Human Hair1 Micron – Small Red DotCOVID – 1/10 Micron 40,000 times smaller in area& 1,000 times smaller in diameterthan the cross-section of human hair.Can you get a human hair past the side of your mask?38
RELATIVE SIZES OF PARTICLESThickness of Human Hair: 100 µmVisible Dust: 50 µm;Thickness of Paper: 100 µm39
Edwards et al. – 2/23/2021 – Cont.Data Presented by Size – in Colored BarsAerosols ( 5 µm)Droplets (10 µm )40
Edwards et al. – Data SimplifiedAerosolsAerosolsDropletsDroplets41
Edwards et al. – Data Simplified 99.9% Particles were Aerosols (small guys)AerosolsDroplets% Aerosols% Sm allDay AfterInfection 5 µm 10 %10,876Totals42
RECALL LITTLE GUYS vs. BIG GUYS“Big Guys” are Droplets: 5 to 10 µmVS.“Little Guys” are Aerosols: 5 µmLittle guys are more prevalent and problematic43
Edwards et al. – 2/23/2021ConclusionsOur finding that the proportion ofsmall respiratory droplets (i.e.,aerosols) [were the majority ofparticles exhaled in all subjects].44
Proceedings from the National Academy ofSciences Press – Edwards et al. – 2/23/2021CONCLUSIONS FROM THE PAPER:Our finding that the proportion of small respiratorydroplets (i.e., aerosols) [were the majority of particlesexhaled in all subjects] .There may be an elevated risk of the airbornetransmission of SARS-CoV-2 by way of the very smalldroplets that transmit through conventional masks andtraverse distances far exceeding the conventional socialdistance of 2 m ( 7’).Exhaled aerosol numbers appear to be not only anindicator of disease progression, but a marker of diseaserisk in non-infected 21830118 - downloaded 2/19/202145
SMALL PARTICLES TAKE A LONG TIME TOFALL FIVE FEET IN STILL AIR46
SMALL PARTICLES TAKE A LONG TIME TOFALL FIVE FEET IN STILL AIRStokes Law – How Fast Do Small Particles Fall?Vs 0.0052 * Specific Gravity * Diameter 2Where:Vs Falling velocity in ft./min.Specific Gravity – Density of the particle – virus is 1.42Diameter – Diameter of the particle in microns for particles 100 micronsSee also: S2213-2600(20)30323-4.pdf – Fennelly - Particlesizes of infectious aerosols: implications for infection control – Lancet – Sept. 2020.47
SMALL PARTICLES TAKE A LONG TIME TOFALL FIVE FEET IN STILL AIRDroplets fall fast – 0.1 to 10 minutesAssumes still air; in moving air times would be even longer.48
SMALL PARTICLES TAKE A LONG TIME TOFALL FIVE FEET IN STILL AIRAerosols Fall Slowly: 0.03 to 59 daysCOVIDCOVID-19 Fall Very Slowly: 46.4 to 58.9 daysAssumes still air; in moving air times would be even longer.49
WHY ARE AEROSOLS – SMALL PARTICLESSO IMPORTANT?1.Aerosols (very small particles - 5 microns)can stay suspended for hours to days.2.Since they stay suspended for so long, theycan actually accumulate in concentration inindoor air rather than dropping out if youassumed they were droplets.3.This effectively renders the 6’ rule useless.This also renders masks essentially useless;they do not filter out aerosols and theycannot be fitted (gaps around the edges).50
REAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SOLUTIONS51
EXPOSURE CONTROL – DILUTION BYVENTILATION OR MAXIMUM FRESH AIRDilution of Virus by Dilution and/orVentilation – More Fresh Air! Spend More Time or Meet Outdoors –condition of maximum fresh air anddilution of virus – avoid indoors. Ventilation – Residential andCommercial – Crack open windows ordoors – especially with company.52
EXPOSURE CONTROL – DILUTION BYVENTILATION OR MAXIMUM FRESH AIRDilution of Virus by Dilutionand/or Ventilation – More FreshAir! Ventilation – Commercial andIndustrial – Increase fresh air – setfresh air dampers to maximumopenings on HVAC systems tomaximize fresh air intake – over-rideenergy controls – will increaseenergy costs.53
EXPOSURE CONTROL – DESTRUCTION ORREMOVAL OF VIRUSDestruction or Removal: Needle Point Ionization Technology(e.g., Nu-Calgon I-Wave) – add toHVAC intake fans to kill viruses,mold, and les/17-S26PathogensFlyer.pdf). Ionized Hydrogen PeroxideSystems (e.g., RGF’s Reme Haloin-duct air purifier ned).54
EXPOSURE CONTROL – DESTRUCTION ORREMOVAL OF VIRUSDestruction or Removal: Ultraviolet-C (UVC) s). Very High Efficiency Filters (at leastMERV-13 ing-ofschools.pdf).55
FOUR THINGS TO REMEMBER!1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the leastdesirable way to protect people.2. Masks are not PPE.3. Scientific evidence suggests COVID-19 particles aremostly small aerosols not droplets, which meansrespirators, not masks, needed to protect the lungsand would make the 6’ rule effectively meaningless.4. Smaller particles are likely a greater cause of diseasesince they get past PPE and can reach deep into thelungs.Use Engineering Controls of Dilution and Destruction.56
THANK YOUQuestions Pleasespetty@eesgroup.us754-220-884457
American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) American Conference of Governmental Ind. Hygienists (ACGIH) American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) American Society of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineers (ASHRAE); Member ASHRAE 40 Std. and TC 8.3 American IAQ Council Sigma Xi.
