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Autoclave sterilization and ethanol treatment of re-used surgical masks and N95 respirators during COVID-19: impact on their performance and integrity.
Grinshpun, S A; Yermakov, M; Khodoun, M.
  • Grinshpun SA; Center for Health-Related Aerosol Studies, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0056, USA. Electronic address: sergey.grinshpun@uc.edu.
  • Yermakov M; Center for Health-Related Aerosol Studies, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0056, USA.
  • Khodoun M; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670563, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0563, USA.
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.
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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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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