Conceptualization Of Smart Personal Protective Equipment For The Prevention Of Community Transmission Of Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

We all know that the major cause of the proliferation of many communicable diseases is community transmission. Thus, our objective is to impede community transmission of respiratory-based communicable diseases. This can be achieved using surgical masks in a “smart way” with embedded systems and IoT. This smart mask will help to ease the burden of front-line workers, mildly affected and asymptomatic individuals. According to a recent study [1], the reports states that surgical masks like N-95 are not very effective in blocking the complete transmission of air-borne pathogens or viruses from infected individuals. The notion is, to optimize the existing purification process used in the masks available today. We know that surgical N-95 masks which are commonly used today are used to let the purified air in. But, this smart personal protective equipment helps to let the purified air out. By letting the virus-free air out through UV-C purification, it results in slim chances of an infected or asymptomatic individual spreading the disease.