COVID-19 PPE Research Activities at NIST: 

Update June 9 2020

Presented by David LaVan

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COVID-19 PPE Research Activities

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NIST has been applying its measurement and standards expertise to problems with the 

emergency reuse and decontamination of PPE to assist with the COVID-19 response. 

Vapor Hydrogen 

Peroxide (VHP) for 

decontamination

UV measurements 

for decontamination

Measurement of 

particle escape 

from homemade 

face coverings

Measurement of 

particle capture by 

homemade face 

coverings

Measurement of 

trace gases 

released after 

decontamination

Helping other agencies 

and American 

businesses respond to 

COVID-19
Background: UV Source Measurement Standards

Multiple standards in 

development with the 

Illuminating Engineering 

Society (IES):

• 5 Different Lamp 

Types 

• Complete devices

• Irradiance 

measurements

• UVC radiometer 

calibration

PML

Photo: Dimer LLC

Photos of commercial products do not imply endorsement
Background: SARS-CoV Response to UV

UV-C was effective against 

SARS-CoV, UV-A was not

Duan SM et al. Biomed Environ Sci 2003;16:246

Darnell ME et al. J Vrifol Meth 2004;121:85

Kariwa H et al. Dermatology 2006;212 (Suppl 1): 119

Tsunetsugu-Yokota Y et al. Meth Mol Biol 2008;454:119

Previous studies of coronavirus 

response to UV in 2000’s

Range of exposure conditions 

tested 

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Now: SARS-CoV-2 and UV

• Working with BSL-3 facilities to measure the 

wavelength and dose dependent responsivity 

of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols, Surfaces, & Biofilms

• Comparing results to potential BSL-2 

surrogates to speed up testing in other 

facilities

222 nm lamps – safer?

• Collaborating with Columbia University to 

establish a calibrated source 

• Working with FDA to make sure 

measurements meet their regulatory bar

Cameron Miller, PML 5

Image courtesy of Columbia University mouse facility
UVGI Systems for emergency use

• Using existing commercial 

field-deployed UV-C 

enclosures 

• Investigating material 

integrity, performance of 

N95 respirators after UV-C 

disinfection 

NIST:

Andras Vladar (PML), high resolution SEM analysis

John Wright (PML), flow capacity assessments

Michael Riley (MML), tensile testing

Jennifer Carney (MML), off-gassing testing

Cameron Miller (PML), fluence assessments, sensor calibrations

Dianne Poster (MML Director’s Office)

Credit: UV concepts

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NIST Technical Note 2091

Dustin Poppendieck, EL

Estimates the VHP concentration 

in air of a room being used to 

disinfect masks

Accounts for room size, surface 

losses and air change rate using a 

mass balance approach

Does not describe or provide 

guidance on VHP disinfection 

applications, does not address 

safety considerations

Exploring collaborations with 

Batelle, EPA, UT Austin

Tool for Evaluation of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfection of N95 

Masks in Small Rooms

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Flow Visualization of Droplet Collection from Face Coverings

Matt Staymates, MML 

• High speed videography and 

backscattered lighting techniques 

• Qualitative effectiveness of aerosol 

droplet capture with common face 

coverings

• Realistic human cough, fog droplets 

(~1-5 μm in diameter)

• Dramatic reduction of aerosol 

transport using basic face coverings

• Visualization shows the importance 

of a snug fit by the nose

Credit: M. Staymates

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Filtration Efficiencies of Cloth Face Coverings

Christopher D. Zangmeister1, James G. Radney1, Edward P. Vicenzi1,2, and Jamie L. Weaver1,2

1 NIST MML; 2 Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution

Transmitted light images. 

Scale bars are 1 mm. 

3-layer nonwoven Woven, poplin, 

flannel

Filtration efficiency and pressure drop as a function of layers of material (one to five layers)

Filtration Efficiency (%)

Aerodynamic Diameter (nm)

Pressure Drop (mm H

2O)

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Filtration Efficiencies of Cloth Face Coverings

Minimum

Filtration

Efficiency 

(%)

• Tested wide variety of 

fabrics tested

• Best performance from 

100% cotton, with nap

• Compared No. of layers, 

pressure drop, mixed 

materials 

• Publication submitted 

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Standards and Coordination 

• NIST SCO has been able to 

arrange access for NIST staff 

and other agencies to PPE and 

ventilator-related standards

• Participating in a variety of 

interagency calls and working 

groups to identify needs and 

connect NIST staff and 

resources

• Includes DHS, NIOSH, FDA, 

FEMA, DOE, DOS, DOJ

Standards Coordination Office Interagency Coordination

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