Wenner L, Pauli U, Summermatter K, Gantenbein H, Vidondo B, Posthaus H
1 Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
2 Institute of Virology and Immunology, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO, Mittelhaeusern, Switzerland.
Vet Pathol. 2017 May;54(3):425-436. doi: 10.1177/0300985816688744. Epub 2017 Jan 23.
Bone-sawing procedures are routinely performed during veterinary and human autopsies and represent an important source for infectious aerosols. Here we investigate the generation of aerosols during bone-sawing procedures using 5 different saws regularly used in veterinary and human pathology. In particular, the electrical bone band saw produced vast amounts of aerosolized particles less than 5 µm in diameter, which spread rapidly throughout the entire autopsy hall, leading to an exposure of all personnel. Other sawing devices tested were a diamond-coated cut grinder, an oscillating saw, a reciprocating saw, and a hand bone saw. Although these saws, especially the handsaw, generated fewer aerosolized particles than the band saw, the level of exposure of the saw operator would still be of concern in cases where infectious material would require sawing. Contamination of the entire autopsy area was successfully prevented by the construction of a separately ventilated sawing cabin inside the existing autopsy room. Saw operators in this cabin, however, were exposed to even higher aerosol concentrations. Protection of saw operators was achieved by using a powered air-purifying respirator. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that all bone-sawing procedures applied in veterinary and human pathology can generate aerosols that are of concern for the health of autopsy personnel. To reduce the risk of aerosol infections from bone-sawing procedures, efficient and properly designed ventilation systems to limit the spread of aerosols and appropriate personal protective equipment against aerosols for exposed personnel should be implemented.
在兽医和人体尸检过程中，锯骨操作是常规进行的，并且是传染性气溶胶的一个重要来源。在此，我们使用兽医和人体病理学中常用的5种不同锯子，研究锯骨过程中气溶胶的产生情况。特别值得一提的是，电动骨带锯产生了大量直径小于5微米的气溶胶颗粒，这些颗粒迅速扩散到整个尸检室，导致所有人员暴露于其中。测试的其他锯切设备包括一台金刚石涂层切割磨床、一台摆动锯、一台往复锯和一台手动骨锯。尽管这些锯子，尤其是手锯，产生的气溶胶颗粒比带锯少，但在需要锯切感染性材料的情况下，锯操作者的暴露水平仍令人担忧。通过在现有的尸检室内建造一个单独通风的锯切舱，成功防止了整个尸检区域的污染。然而，该舱内的锯操作者暴露于更高的气溶胶浓度中。通过使用动力空气净化呼吸器实现了对锯操作者的保护。总之，我们的结果表明，兽医和人体病理学中应用的所有锯骨操作都可能产生对尸检人员健康构成威胁的气溶胶。为降低锯骨操作产生气溶胶感染的风险，应实施高效且设计合理的通风系统以限制气溶胶的传播，并为暴露人员配备合适的防气溶胶个人防护设备。
