Steam treatment for rapid decontamination of N95 respirators and medical face masks

Li, Daniel F.; Cadnum, Jennifer L.; Redmond, Sarah; Jones, Lucas D.; Pearlmutter, Basya; Haq, Muhammed F.; Donskey, Curtis J.

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2020.05.009

Cited by 29 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Thus, the findings reported from the 20 studies described in Table 7 have been further condensed in Table 8 to facilitate their interpretation. The studies that have utilised an upper temperature range of 90–100 °C (potentially damaging to plastic polymers) and found no effect on FFR fit testing or filtering performance (including two using steam treatment [ 44 , 94 ]) had a relatively short total cumulative treatment time ≤60 min ( Table 8 ). In contrast, a number of studies have shown that both dry and moist heat treatment of FFRs in the range of 70–85 °C were possible for extended periods of time ( Table 8 ), without marked effects on respirator performance and/or fit ( Table 7 ).…”

Section: Impact Of Disinfection On Ffrsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Derraik

Anderson

Connelly

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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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.

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Section: Impact Of Disinfection On Ffrsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Derraik

Anderson

Connelly

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…It has been shown using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that the treatment alters neither the permeability nor the fibre thickness. Li et al ( 2020a , b ) proposed steam treatment of surgical and N95 masks. Ji et al ( 2020 ) lists the treatment level required to get acceptable filtration and antimicrobial performance for various methods of decontamination of masks.…”

Section: Individual Sanitizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Exhaled breathe from infected person, cough, sneeze, etc., aid in infecting the air (Dbouk and Drikakis 2020 ). Li et al ( 2020a , b ) used airflow simulations to establish the evidence of probable aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This vulnerability of an ambience and associated likelihood of transmission of the virus by airborne route creates the necessity for ambience sanitization.…”

Section: Space Sanitizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The air flow inside, stratification and buoyancy induced due to temperature define the driving mechanism for natural ventilation (Linden 1999 ). The case of infection due to aerosol transmitted SARS-CoV2 in a restaurant (Li et al 2020a , b ) and two Wuhan hospitals (Liu et al 2020 ) due to poor ventilation necessitate a need of proper ventilation with adequate air filtering. Villafruela et al ( 2013 ) employed computational fluid dynamics to propose a design of ventilation system for isolation rooms.…”

Section: Space Sanitizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sanitization During and After COVID-19 Pandemic: A Short Review

Khan

Yadav

2020

Trans Indian Natl. Acad. Eng.

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Sanitization is a preventive and strategic method to contain the spread of SARS-CoV2. Since there is no foolproof method to tackle the present COVID-19 pandemic, sanitization has a central role to play. The present article briefly reviews various methods of sanitization for individuals, surfaces and ambience. The article reviews different approaches toward sanitization and examines the historicity of the methods employed.

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“…The use of dry heat was evaluated for by eleven different experimental studies. 27,28,[40][41][42]47,52,[59][60][61]66 Temperatures between 70 and 85 °C did not affect the structural characteristics of the masks under various humidity conditions (≤100% RH). 28,42 The ltering e ciency remained acceptable (≥95%) up to 50 cycles at 85 °C and 30% of RH.…”

Section: Dry Heatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decontamination methods for respiratory protection mask model N95: a rapid review

Probst

Guerrero

Cardoso

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: N95 respiratory protection masks are used by healthcare professionals to prevent contamination with infectious microorganisms transmitted by droplets or aerosols.Methods: We conducted a rapid review of the literature analyzing the effectiveness of decontamination methods for mask reuse. The review was carried out in September 2020 using a simplification of the formal systematic review process, which simplified the stages of a complete systematic review, including the exclusion of an assessment of study methodology.Results: A total of 563 articles were retrieved of which 48 laboratory-based studies were selected. Fifteen decontamination methods were included in the studies. Hydrogen peroxide was evaluated by 19 laboratory studies, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation by 21, ethylene oxide by 4, dry heat by 11, moist heat by 9, ethanol by 5, isopropanol solution by 2, microwave oven by 11, sodium hypochlorite by 10, autoclave by 7, electric rice cooker by 3, cleaning wipes by 1, bar soap and water 1, multi-Purpose High-Level Disinfection Cabinet by 1 and chlorine dioxide by 1. Five methods appear promising: hydrogen peroxide vapor, ultraviolet irradiation, dry heat, wet heat/pasteurization, and microwave ovens.Conclusions: Positive results should be considered with caution as they represent a small number of studies, reflect ideal laboratory conditions, and may have limited applicability in realistic situations and for health systems.

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Steam treatment for rapid decontamination of N95 respirators and medical face masks

Cited by 29 publications

References 3 publications

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

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

Sanitization During and After COVID-19 Pandemic: A Short Review

Decontamination methods for respiratory protection mask model N95: a rapid review

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