Due to the lack of N95 face masks, healthcare workers in particular have to wear the same mask again and again.
When investigating various methods of disinfecting N95 materials, it was found that their filtration efficiency is maintained when heated over 50 disinfection cycles.
The current investigation by Stanford University found that proper heating can ensure disinfection of N95 materials.
The results of the study were published in the English language journal “ACS Nano”.
N95 face masks have become scarce in times of the COVID-19 pandemic, heating helps to disinfect the masks effectively, so they can be used safely several times.
This could help prevent infections with the cornavirus even if there is a shortage of mask.
How do N95 masks work?
Heating helps to disinfect N95 face masks safely
N95 masks contain a layer of polypropylene fibers that form a porous, breathable network.
The fibers are electrostatically charged to make it easier to collect smaller particles.
Various methods such as heating, ultraviolet radiation and bleach treatment for disinfecting N95 masks have been recommended.
However, these have not yet been extensively examined.
The researchers compared five methods that can be used in a hospital to determine how the mask materials withstand repeated disinfection.
For this they did not use N95 masks, but pieces of the special fabric used to manufacture the masks were examined.
Heating enabled safe multiple use of the masks
The research group treated the material with a specific disinfectant and then compared its ability to filter aerosol particles (which resemble respiratory droplets but do not contain a coronavirus) before and after disinfection.
The team found that spraying the fabric with an ethanol or chlorine bleach solution drastically reduced filtration efficiency after just one treatment.
When disinfected with ethanol, the filtration efficiency was reduced from around 96 percent to 56 percent.
Bleach, on the other hand, reduced the filtration efficiency to 73 percent.
A single steam treatment maintained the filtration, but five steam treatments resulted in a sharp drop in efficiency.
Important NOTE:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment.
He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
The best disinfection method seemed to be warming.
For example, heating for 20 minutes at 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius) allowed the fabric to be treated 50 times without loss of filtration efficiency.
However, the frequent putting on and taking off of N95 masks could impair the fit, which also affects performance, the researchers report.
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UV radiation allowed up to 20 disinfection cycles.
However, according to the researchers, the use can be problematic because the exact UV dose is difficult to determine.
Too little radiation does not kill the virus sufficiently – too much radiation damages the material of the mask.
Tekk.tv health
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