Evaluating the effectiveness of a novel cost-effective aerosol containment chamber for high-risk autopsies: a pilot study

Abstract

Autopsy personnel face substantial occupational risks from exposure to infectious agents, particularly during aerosol-generating procedures like bone sawing. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these dangers, underscoring the need for innovative safety solutions in resource-limited settings without negative-pressure autopsy suites. To address this, we developed a Low-Cost Infection Containment Chamber (LCICC)-a full-length, transparent, and impermeable structure designed to contain aerosols during high-risk autopsy procedures. This study evaluated the efficacy of LCICC using goat skulls to simulate aerosol generation during sawing. Aerosol densities were measured under both open-air conditions and with LCICC use, employing fluorescein dye for visualization and particle counter for quantification. Statistical analysis confirmed the chamber's effectiveness in reducing occupational exposure. LCICC demonstrated a substantial reduction in aerosol levels, ranging from 85.96 to 88.38% across all particle sizes. Median aerosol densities were consistently recorded at 10.50 mg/m³ with LCICC use, compared to 74.80 to 90.40 mg/m³ in open-air conditions. LCICC's affordability, ease of assembly, and reliable performance position it as a groundbreaking tool for protecting healthcare workers, particularly in low-resource settings. This innovation addresses critical gaps in autopsy safety protocols, offering a practical solution to mitigate risks associated with infectious aerosols while advancing occupational health standards in forensic pathology.

Keywords: Aerosol containment; Autopsy safety; COVID-19; Infection control; Infectious diseases; Occupational health.

Fig. 1

Low-cost infection containment chamber prototype.

Fig. 2

Setup for measuring aerosol spread during sawing.

Fig. 3

a Portable particle counter machine. b The particle counter sampling air through a long tube positioned at the door of the LCICC during sawing inside the chamber.

Fig. 4

Fluorescein dye mixed with saline was applied to the mandible to enhance visualization of aerosol splatter during sawing (open air setting).

Fig. 5

Close-up view of fluorescein dye mixed with saline applied to the mandible, enhancing visualization of aerosol splatter during sawing.

Fig. 6

Dispersion of fluorescein-marked droplets around the operative site assessed under UV illumination after completion of bone sawing procedures.

Fig. 7

Distribution of the fluorescein droplet spread.