Autoclave sterilization and ethanol treatment of re-used surgical masks and N95 respirators during COVID-19: impact on their performance and integrity.
J Hosp Infect
; 105(4): 608-614, 2020 Aug.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-619428
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
An exceptionally high demand for surgical masks and N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) during the COVID-19 pandemic has considerably exceeded their supply. These disposable devices are generally not approved for routine decontamination and re-use as a standard of care, while this practice has widely occurred in hospitals. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allowed it "as a crisis capacity strategy". However, limited testing was conducted on the impact of specific decontamination methods on the performance of N95 FFRs and no data was presented for surgical masks.AIM:
We evaluated common surgical masks and N95 respirators with respect to the changes in their performance and integrity resulting from autoclave sterilization and a 70% ethanol treatment; these methods are frequently utilized for re-used filtering facepieces in hospitals.METHODS:
The filter collection efficiency and pressure drop were determined for unused masks and N95 FFRs, and for those subjected to the treatments in a variety of ways. The collection efficiency was measured for particles of approximately 0.037-3.2 µm to represent aerosolized single viruses, their agglomerates, bacteria and larger particle carriers.FINDINGS:
The initial collection efficiency and the filter breathability may be compromised by sterilization in an autoclave and ethanol treatment. The effect depends on a protective device, particle size, breathing flow rate, type of treatment and other factors. Additionally, physical damages were observed in N95 respirators after autoclaving.CONCLUSION:
Strategies advocating decontamination and re-use of filtering facepieces in hospitals should be re-assessed considering the data obtained in this study.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Respiratory Protective Devices
/
Ventilators, Mechanical
/
Sterilization
/
Occupational Exposure
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Ethanol
/
Pandemics
/
Masks
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
J Hosp Infect
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
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