Rapid Review of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 Viability, Susceptibility to Treatment, and the Disinfection and Reuse of PPE, Particularly Filtering Facepiece Respirators

Abstract

In the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, hospitals are often stretched beyond capacity. There are widespread reports of dwindling supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly N95-type filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), which are paramount to protect frontline medical/nursing staff, and to minimize further spread of the virus. We carried out a rapid review to summarize the existing literature on the viability of SARS-CoV-2, the efficacy of key potential disinfection procedures against the virus (specifically ultraviolet light and heat), and the impact of these procedures on FFR performance, material integrity, and/or fit. In light of the recent discovery of SARS-CoV-2 and limited associated research, our review also focused on the closely related SARS-CoV-1. We propose a possible whole-of-PPE disinfection solution for potential reuse that could be rapidly instituted in many health care settings, without significant investments in equipment.

Environmentally friendly non-medical mask: An attempt to reduce the environmental impact from used masks during COVID 19 pandemic

“…The results of sensitivity analysis of AHP described several potential materials for the production of an appropriate environmentally friendly non-medical mask. Furthermore, those results were highly support the several efforts for meeting supply chain shortages on mask product development during this pandemic, as discussed on the articles, to support the policymakers for guiding on how masks should be used ( Howard et al, 2020 ; World Health Organization, 2020 ) and for sustaining the supply of PPE ( Chua et al, 2020 ; Derraik et al, 2020 ; Ilyas et al, 2020 ; Rowan and Laffey, 2020 , Rowan and Laffey, 2021 ; Zhao et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Furthermore, it discusses about sensitivity analysis from the scenario with several considerations of environmental impact rate. An understanding of new eco-friendly materials used in face masks per se will also inform research focusing on the development of sustainable reprocessing approaches for meeting supply chain shortages arising from ongoing COVID-19 pandemic ( Derraik et al, 2020 ; Rowan and Laffey, 2020 , Rowan and Laffey, 2021 ). Testing the material performance, e.g.…”

In vitro inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by commonly used disinfection products and methods

“…To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to use the SARS-CoV-2 strain for a comprehensive comparative evaluation of the effect of multiple disinfectants on virus inactivation 41 . For each disinfectant or method, we set up concentration and contact time stratification, identified neutralizers for the chemical disinfectants, and tested and compared the laboratory’s disinfection effects of thermal and low, medium, and high-efficiency disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2.…”

Dynamics of COVID-19 transmission including indirect transmission mechanisms: a mathematical analysis

“…If the risk of indirect transmission through postal deliveries is assessed to be a significant contributor to the spread of COVID-19, a possible means of mitigation is the effective use of face coverings, under appropriate guidance [22], by postal workers coming into direct contact with postal items within a day of delivery. A solution considered in the context of re-using PPE equipment is heating used equipment or exposing it to UV radiation [23]. Such an approach could be considered for post, such as exposure to sunlight for periods of several minutes to a half hour [24], and for other articles that commonly come in contact with the public such as food packages.…”

“…Such an approach could be considered for post, such as exposure to sunlight for periods of several minutes to a half hour [24], and for other articles that commonly come in contact with the public such as food packages. The tests on PPE equipment, however, were inconclusive in terms of required dosages in realistic scenarios [23]. It is unknown how effective exposure to sunlight would be on post in a realistic environment; post is also often concealed until delivered for security reasons, so procedural adjustments would be required.…”