Performance Evaluation of the Domestically Developed Powered Air Purify Respirator in Thailand: Article 3090

Kanit Tapasa; Surisa Suriyoporn; Kansiree  Kaewmorakot; Ekarat  Meechoowas; Nuttawan Sawangboon

doi:10.69650/ahstr.2025.3090

Authors

Kanit Tapasa Division of Engineering Materials, Department of Science Service, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Surisa Suriyoporn Division of Engineering Materials, Department of Science Service, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Kansiree Kaewmorakot Division of Engineering Materials, Department of Science Service, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Ekarat Meechoowas Division of Engineering Materials, Department of Science Service, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Nuttawan Sawangboon Division of Engineering Materials, Department of Science Service, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69650/ahstr.2025.3090

Keywords:

COVID-19, powered air purifying respirator (PAPR), total inward leakage (TIL), air supply, breathing resistance

Abstract

The initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand in 2020 revealed critical shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), which are essential for protecting medical personnel from airborne pathogens. This study compared the performance of domestically manufactured PAPRs in Thailand (MM and PP) to two commercially imported models (TM and SM), both of which are generally recognized for their compliance with the EN 12941 standard. The study involved 20 subjects, comprised of 10 males and 10 females, to evaluate three key parameters: total inward leakage (TIL), air supply, and breathing resistance. To replicate real-world conditions, subjects wore ASTM-certified surgical masks beneath the PAPR during the TIL tests. The TIL test employed sodium chloride particles produced by an atomizer and was carried out in a sealed chamber. A scanning mobility particle sizer and laser photometer were used to monitor the concentrations of particles both within and outside the respirator. Leakage under dynamic situations was evaluated using standardized exercises following EN 12941 guidelines. Air supply and breathing resistance were tested with a Sheffield dummy head following international protocols. All PAPRs achieved %TIL values below the 1% EN 12941 threshold, with the TM model having the lowest leakage (0.097%). Domestically produced models performed similarly, with small variations in the PP model due to its PTFE membrane filter. Airflow rates exceeded the design specifications while breathing resistance remained within acceptable limits. Compared to a previous study utilizing dummy head testing, this research demonstrated improved consistency in %TIL results by employing human subjects, emphasizing the importance of real-world testing conditions. Furthermore, the present study highlights the potential of domestically manufactured PAPRs to serve as viable, cost-effective alternatives to imported models. Thai-manufactured PAPRs may improve national resilience in future public health emergencies while lowering reliance on global supply chains if they comply with rigorous testing requirements and demonstrate equivalent protective effectiveness.

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