Air helmets

[Art Deboo]

Some time ago our guild purchase a large number of rispirator type helmets that were to be used while teaching new club members during the hands on sessions as well as the kids at the different schools our club goes into and works with the individual shop teachers assisting them with a turning program. We wanted to teach new folks the importance of lung and eye / face safety.
All was well until the latest H1N1 and other related bugs started to surface.
The question has been raised as to whether or not this is a safe practise.
Our clubs procedure after use of the helmets they are sprayed with a disinfectant spray and the shields wiped down.
All other soft parts inside the helmet can be removed for washing or replacement should we wish to do so.
My question I suppose is are these shields only a personal use item or with the proper care is our club is on the right track with this program.
Art

 

[Paul M. Kaplowitz]

Go into any school where they have shop classes and hundred of students share shields and masks. I have never, in forty years, heard of any health issues. pmkappy

 

[John Nicholas]

From the CDC

Below are the pertinent sections of CDC Guidance as to the groups at high risk and what people can do to avoid H1N1 and also the seasonal flu.

Under What People can do: Look at the 4th item. People with symptoms shouldn't be there, much less using common items.

I think this one additional step added to the steps already in place will do as much as anything.

John

Excerpts from: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm

Groups of people at higher risk for severe illness from 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection are thought to be the same as those people at higher risk for severe illness from seasonal influenza. These groups include:

Children younger than 5 years old
Persons aged 65 years or older
Children and adolescents (younger than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
Pregnant women
Adults and children who have asthma, chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes;
Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

AND

In areas with confirmed human cases of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, the risk for infection can be reduced through a combination of actions. No single action will provide complete protection, but an approach combining the following steps can help decrease the likelihood of transmission. These recommended actions are:

Wash hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub*
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
People who are sick with an influenza-like illness (ILI) (fever plus at least cough or sore throat and possibly other symptoms like runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea) should stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel, for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
Avoid close contact (i.e. being within about 6 feet) with persons with ILI.

 

[Bill Boehme]

A spray disinfectant is ineffective on viruses and can actually be a problem for people who have asthma because of the stinky perfumes and other stuff in the disinfectant. Viruses such as H1N1 are mainly spread by airborne contact or physical contact with an infected person. If the helmet were to sit for days or weeks without use, the virus would no longer be viable. It is OK to clean them, but just leave out the disinfectant part. If any kid is sneezing or feels ill then they should not participate, but the reality is that there is so much contact between kids at school that if anybody is ill, exposure propagates very rapidly across the campus.