Table 1.

Previous studies on PPE and their limitations

Author (Year)	Scope of the study	Limitations of the study
Jinadatha et al. (2015)	Disinfecting personal protective equipment with pulsed xenon ultraviolet as a risk mitigation strategy for health care workers	Lacked in proper solution for sterilization of contaminated PPE for reuse. Assessment on use and disposal of PPE not done
Rowan et al. (2020)	Challenges and solutions for addressing critical shortage of supply chain for personal and protective equipment (PPE) arising from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic—A case study from the Republic of Ireland	The study was limited just to reprocessing of PPE through use of vaporized hydrogen peroxide and UV irradiation.  No data on PPE manufacturing and its disposal effect on human health and environment
Boškoski et al. (2020)	COVID-19 pandemic and personal protective equipment shortage: protective efficacy comparing masks and scientific methods for respirator reuse	The study concludes that rational use and successful reuse of respirators can help in the shortage of PPE during a pandemic.  No experimental data or study on disposal effects of PPE
Desai et al. (2020)	COVID-19 and personal protective equipment: Treatment and prevention of skin conditions related to the occupational use of personal protective equipment	Study was limited just to skin conditions arising due to prolonged use of PPEs
Tabah et al. (2020)	Personal protective equipment and intensive care unit healthcare worker safety in the COVID-19 era (PPE-SAFE): An international survey	The study is limited to just survey data obtained and the effect of PPE usage on healthcare workers
Priyadarshini et al. (2020)	Rationing PPEs during a pandemic: The COVID-19 scenario	The study only focused on just efficient distribution of PPE to cater to the surge in need of PPE