Enhancing the prevention of airborne infections through research and education

The INTO project aims to enhance the prevention of airborne infections in working life, with a particular focus on social and healthcare environments. The project concentrates on respiratory protective equipment and its real-world protective performance, taking into account mask fit, inward and outward leakage, and typical work-related activities.
The project adopts a multidisciplinary approach that combines expertise in aerosol physics, medicine, and occupational health. The performance of respiratory protective equipment is studied both in laboratory settings and in real workplaces using human test subjects and standardized manikin heads. The project develops new measurement methods to reliably assess inward and outward leakage across different particle sizes, to monitor carbon dioxide concentrations inside respirators, and to evaluate pressure variation as a practical indicator of mask fit.
The overall aim is to produce practical, evidence-based knowledge and tools to support the selection, use, and fit verification of respiratory protective equipment in workplaces. In addition, the project develops workplace-applicable fit-testing models and produces training materials, such as guidelines and videos, to strengthen occupational safety and preparedness for current and future airborne health threats.

Airborne transmission has been increasingly recognized as a major route for the spread of respiratory infections. In many work environments, particularly in social and healthcare settings, exposure risks cannot be sufficiently controlled through technical or organizational measures alone, making respiratory protective equipment an essential component of occupational safety.
Despite widespread use, there is still limited evidence on the actual protective performance of respirators in real working conditions. Previous research has mainly focused on inward leakage and laboratory measurements using manikin heads, while outward leakage, dynamic work situations, and individual user characteristics have received less attention. This represents a significant research gap, as respirators in healthcare settings function not only to protect the wearer but also as source control to protect patients and coworkers.
Furthermore, systematic fit testing of respiratory protective equipment has been limited in Finnish workplaces, and practical methods for evaluating fit and protection on site are lacking. Uncertainty also remains regarding the physiological effects of respirator use, such as carbon dioxide accumulation inside the mask.
The INTO project addresses these gaps by developing new measurement methods and generating practical, research-based knowledge to support effective, safe, and consistent use of respiratory protective equipment in working life.

The objective of the INTO project is to improve the prevention of airborne infections by developing research-based and workplace-applicable solutions related to the selection, use, and fit of respiratory protective equipment.
A key objective is to develop a reliable and repeatable measurement method for assessing the protective performance of respirators, including both inward and outward leakage across different particle sizes. The project investigates how mask fit, individual user characteristics, and work-related activities affect respirator performance.
Another objective is to compare results obtained from human test subjects with those from standardized manikin heads in order to improve the realism and reliability of respirator testing and development. The project also aims to develop and pilot a workplace-suitable fit-testing model, including the evaluation of pressure-based measurements as a rapid method for verifying respirator tightness.
In addition, the project increases understanding of carbon dioxide levels inside respirators and their implications for comfort, performance, and well-being. Based on the research results, the project produces clear guidelines, recommendations, and training materials, including visual learning content, to support occupational safety and consistent protective practices.

The INTO project has significant impact on both workplaces and society by improving the management of airborne infection risks. In social and healthcare environments in particular, the project enhances the safety of employees and patients by providing evidence-based knowledge on the real protective performance of respiratory protective equipment.
A key impact of the project is the transition from assumption-based respirator use to measured, understood, and standardized practices. The developed measurement and fit-testing methods enable workplaces to select and use respiratory protective equipment more appropriately and individually, reducing exposure risks and supporting work ability. This may also contribute to reduced infection-related sick leave.
At the societal level, the project strengthens preparedness for future epidemics and airborne health threats. The results support respirator development, standardization, and evidence-based occupational safety guidelines. By comparing human-based and manikin-based testing, the project improves the reliability of testing methods also at an international level.
The project’s training materials and micro-credential–based learning content promote accessible, continuous learning and support the wide dissemination of protective competence across workplaces and education. Overall, the project strengthens the capacity of working life to operate safely in changing health-related and societal conditions.

Työsuojelurahasto

Työsuojelurahasto