Fluorescent aerosol leakage quantification for protective clothing with an entropy-based image processor for industrial and medical workers

Correct procedures for donning and removing protective clothing are critical for preventing transmission of hazardous particulates in industrial and medical settings. The purpose of this study is to examine the levels of airborne particulate leakage of personal protective clothing after a series of exercises performed by volunteers who simulated industrial and medical workers. The fluorescent aerosols were employed as airborne particulates in a controlled chamber with ultraviolet (UV) light-detectable stickers. After an exposure-and-leakage test, the protective clothing was removed and photographed with UV-scanning to evaluate areas where fluorescent aerosols had adhered to the body through the clothing. An image processor installed with an entropy-based algorithm was developed to segment the fluorescent area and calculate its relative leakage ratio (Lr) in real time. This study addresses an optimal technique to confirm the safety of protective clothing removal and decontamination policy formulated for aerosol-transmitted situations.