Effect of moist heat reprocessing of N95 respirators on SARS-CoV-2 inactivation and respirator function.

Effect of moist heat reprocessing of N95 respirators on SARS-CoV-2 inactivation and respirator function. CMAJ. 2020 Jul 30;: Authors: Daeschler SC, Manson N, Joachim K, Chin AWH, Chan K, Chen PZ, Jones A, Tajdaran K, Mirmoeini K, Zhang JJ, Maynes JT, Zhang L, Science M, Darbandi A, Stephens D, Gu F, Poon LLM, Borschel GH Abstract BACKGROUND: Unprecedented demand for N95 respirators during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global shortage of these masks. We validated a rapidly applicable, lowcost decontamination protocol in compliance with regulatory standards to enable the safe reuse of N95 respirators. METHODS: We inoculated 4 common models of N95 respirators with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and evaluated viral inactivation after disinfection for 60 minutes at 70°C and 0% relative humidity. Similarly, we evaluated thermal disinfection at 0% to 70% relative humidity for masks inoculated with Escherichia coli. We assessed masks subjected to multiple cycles of thermal disinfection for structural integrity using scanning electron microscopy and for protective functions using standards of the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for particle filtration efficiency, breathing resistance and respirator fit. RESULTS: A single heat treatment rendered SARS-CoV-2 undetectable in all mask samples. Compared with untreated inoculated contro...
Source: Canadian Medical Association Journal - Category: General Medicine Tags: CMAJ Source Type: research