Green light from the federal government: Vienna is allowed to recycle masks – Vienna

Protective mask, glasses, coat, hood and gloves are absolutely necessary in the treatment and care of people with Covid. The demand for the face mask is particularly high. And although City Councilor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) and the KAVAlmost every day like a prayer wheel to insure that there are sufficient supplies, the city is now using Plan B.

Federal Ministry granted approval

Because the procurement markets are tense, the KAV has tested the cleaning of FFP2 and FFP3 protective masks – with success. On Wednesday, the responsible federal ministry also issued a decree approving the single reuse of FFP2 and FFP3 protective masks.

Steam sterilization at 121 degrees Celsius

“Different sterilization methods were examined,” explains Michael Binder, medical director of the Vienna Hospital Association. “The top priority was to maintain the respiratory protection function of the masks after reprocessing.” The filter effect of the material is decisive for this. After steam sterilization at 121 degrees Celsius, the reports on FFP2 masks without a valve even showed a slightly improved filtering effect of the material. The FFP2 mask with valve had a slightly reduced retention capacity after sterilization, which experts rated as harmless. According to experts, FFP3 masks can be used a second time as FFP2 masks due to the slightly reduced filter effect.

Logistics for collection and sterilization set up

In a letter, the KAV informed the staff that the masks should be collected in their own containers and separately from other protective items. They are then cleaned using the steam process.

Procurement of new masks has priority

Even if recycling is seen as an important measure, the replacement of protective equipment has priority. “We have now taken on responsibility for central procurement for all health facilities in the city of Vienna and for the state of Burgenland,” says Herwig Wetzlinger, Deputy Director General of KAV. “We continue to procure the quantities that are required and can be obtained on the international markets. However, with the reusability of FFP2 and FFP3 protective masks, we now have the necessary scope to be able to bridge any delivery difficulties with the producers.” The reprocessed protective masks are currently used as a reserve, the press release emphasizes.

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