ELECTROSTATIC CHARGES GENERATED ON THE MEDICAL CLOTHES

Abstract

The present work discusses the electrostatic charges (ESC) generated on the surface of the protective equipment of people working in the medical care such as uniform, gloves, disposable gowns and eye drape to control their effectiveness to protect the wearer from viruses such as Covid-19. The experimental observations showed that ESC generated from contact and separation of the doctor uniform and doctor gown slightly increased with increasing the applied load. Sliding generated relatively higher ESC than that observed in contact and separation. It is known that negative ESC generated on the gown is preferable to repel the viruses of negative charge such as Covid-19. The relatively high negative ESC gained by the gown can protect the doctor from infection. After contact and separation of latex gloves and gown, latex gloves gained relatively higher positive ESC that represents higher risk of attracting the negative charged viruses into the gloves and increases the possibility to infect other persons. Based on that, latex gloves should be replaced by PE (polyethylene) gloves to gain relatively lower values of ESC. It is known the gowns gained negative ESC are able to provide protection for the wearer against infection. In addition to that, contact and separation as well as sliding of doctor gown and patient gown generated negative ESC on the doctor gown. Polypropylene (PP) gown ensures the repulsion of the negative charged viruses including Covid-19 away. Finally, ESC generated on the medical cloth surfaces generate electric field that could ionize the air around the charged surfaces. Surfaces of negative ESC generate electric field that can ionize the air by negative ESC able to repel the viruses away of the surface.