Effect of gamma irradiation on filtering facepiece respirators and SARS-CoV-2 detection

Al-Hadyan, Khaled; Al-Harbi, Najla; Judia, Sara Bin; Alghamdi, Metib; Almousa, Akram A.; Alsharif, Ibtihaj; Bakheet, Razan; Al-Romaih, Khaldoun; Al-Mozaini, Maha; Al‐Ghamdi, Sami G.; Moftah, Belal; Alhmaid, Rashed

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-99414-6

Cited by 9 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“… 8 − 10 Specifically, many methods of decontamination or sterilization have been previously reported, 10 , 11 including the use of γ and electron beam irradiation. 12 , 13 Additionally, Menon et al demonstrated that post-functionalization of PP masks can result in effective sterilization through the use of zinc porphyrin photosensitizers for enhancing the ability of the masks to protect against influenza pathogens. 14 Alternatively, masks can be collected and recycled through several processing steps, such as granulation and pelletization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multifunctional Carbon Fibers from Chemical Upcycling of Mask Waste

et al. 2022

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Over the past years, disposable masks have been produced in unprecedented amounts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their increased use imposes significant strain on current waste management practices including landfilling and incineration. This results in large volumes of discarded masks entering the environment as pollutants, and alternative methods of waste management are required to mitigate the negative effects of mask pollution. While current recycling methods can supplement conventional waste management, the necessary processes result in a product with downgraded material properties and a loss of value. This work introduces a simple method to upcycle mask waste into multifunctional carbon fibers through simple steps of thermal stabilization and pyrolysis. The pre-existed fibrous structure of polypropylene masks can be directly converted into carbonaceous structures with high degrees of carbon yield, that are inherently sulfur-doped, and porous in nature. The mask-derived carbon product demonstrates potential use in multiple applications such as for Joule heating, oil adsorption, and the removal of organic pollutants from aqueous environments. We believe that this process can provide a useful alternative to conventional waste management by converting mask waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic into a product with enhanced value.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multifunctional Carbon Fibers from Chemical Upcycling of Mask Waste

et al. 2022

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“…59 The reported data in Table 5 suggest that the tested mask has limited protection against aerosols after ionizing radiation sterilization, which is consistent with previous studies. 9,20,21,24,39…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the absence of a durable inhomogeneous electric field, the respirator’s filtration properties are reduced, which is observed in ionizing radiation sterilization. 9,20,21,24,39,61 The gamma irradiation produced significant bipolar ions (positive and negative ions) in the surrounding environment and in the respirator fiber material (electrons and/or holes). These ions attracted, trapped, de-trapped, and recombined in the PP fiber structure and modified their surface charge density.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, examining the potential changes in physical structure and in particular, the electrostatic charge density status of decontaminated respirators should be carried out. 24…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, examining the potential changes in physical structure and in particular, the electrostatic charge density status of decontaminated respirators should be carried out. 24 Hence, the effect of decontamination processes on the electrostatic charge status, physical and chemical change in the fiber of the N95 respirator have been studied in the current work. The sterilization methods used in this work are (i) cumulative ionizing radiation dose of 15 and 25 kGy, (ii) dry heat (the temperature at 70-80°C) for 30 and 60 min, and (iii) liquid soaking in hydrogen peroxide (10% concentration) for 30 min.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A detailed investigation of N95 respirator sterilization with dry heat, hydrogen peroxide, and ionizing radiation

Kumar

Joshi

Subramanian

et al. 2022

Journal of Industrial Textiles

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In the present ongoing pandemic, the N95 respirator is an essential protective barrier to suppress the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus and protect the frontline worker from exposure. The N95 respirators are meant for single usage; however, they can be used after sterilization, considering the economy and shortfall in availability. At this juncture, the performance of the respirator after various types of sterilization and usage condition is required to be analyzed in detail. With this motto, this work has proceeded. The respirator’s filtration efficiency (FE), breathing resistance, and quality factor are evaluated for two face velocities (5.8 ± 0.2 and 26.4 ± 0.9 cm/s). Sterilization techniques used here are dry air oven heating at 70–80 ± 3°C for 30 and 60 min, gamma irradiation for cumulative dose 15 and 25 kGy, and soaking in liquid hydrogen peroxide for 30 min. The filtration performance and electrostatic surface charge density are used to determine the facemask’s efficacy after sterilization. The respirator’s physical, chemical, and morphological degradation were investigated using materials area density, microscopic analyses, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, EPR, and TGA analyses. The highest reduction in filtration efficiency is 29.36 ± 0.49–36.08 ± 1.78% after irradiation due to a reduction in the charge density (71–133%) of the respirator layers. However, the FE does not reduce significantly (0.39 ± 0.52 to −2.46 ± 0.60) for dry air heat and H2O2 sterilization despite a change in charge density (0.4–53%), but there is no direct correlation with FE. Electrostatic charge measurement of the filtration layer is a crucial indicator of FE degradation. Hence, dry air heat and H2O2 soaking are found to be the most suitable sterilization methods. No significant degradation was observed on the physical, chemical, and morphological properties of respirators layers after sterilization.

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Disinfection and decontamination in the context of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific data

Cimolai

2022

Journal of Medical Virology

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Given the high transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) as witnessed early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, concerns arose with the existing methods for virus disinfection and decontamination. The need for SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific data stimulated considerable research in this regard. Overall, SARS‐CoV‐2 is practically and equally susceptible to approaches for disinfection and decontamination that have been previously found for other human or animal coronaviruses. The latter have included techniques utilizing temperature modulation, pH extremes, irradiation, and chemical treatments. These physicochemical methods are a necessary adjunct to other prevention strategies, given the environmental and patient surface ubiquity of the virus. Classic studies of disinfection have also allowed for extrapolation to the eradication of the virus on human mucosal surfaces by some chemical means. Despite considerable laboratory study, practical field assessments are generally lacking and need to be encouraged to confirm the correlation of interventions with viral eradication and infection prevention. Transparency in the constitution and use of any method or chemical is also essential to furthering practical applications.

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Effect of gamma irradiation on filtering facepiece respirators and SARS-CoV-2 detection

Cited by 9 publications

References 43 publications

Multifunctional Carbon Fibers from Chemical Upcycling of Mask Waste

Multifunctional Carbon Fibers from Chemical Upcycling of Mask Waste

A detailed investigation of N95 respirator sterilization with dry heat, hydrogen peroxide, and ionizing radiation

Disinfection and decontamination in the context of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific data

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