Decontamination and re-use of surgical masks and respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic

Côrtes, Marina Farrel; Espinoza, Evelyn Patrícia Sánchez; Noguera, Saidy Liceth Vásconez; Silva, Aline Alves; Medeiros, Marion Elke Sielfeld Araya de; Boas, Lucy S. Vilas; Ferreira, Noely Evangelista; Tozetto‐Mendoza, Tânia Regina; Morais, Fernando; Queiroz, Rayana Santiago de; Proença, Adriana Coracini Tonacio de; Guimarães, Thaís; Guedes, Ana Rubia; Letaif, Leila Suemi Harima; Montal, Amanda Cardoso; Mendes‐Correa, Maria Cássia; John, Vanderley M.; Levin, Anna Sara Shafferman; Costa, Sílvia Figueiredo

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.12.056

Cited by 14 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The model described here resembles the Sheffield dummy head that has been developed for the validation of filtering face pieces and respirators in the context of airway protection of workers in dusty environments ( Mogridge et al, 2016 ). To the best of our knowledge, the standard testing for tissue face mask breathability measures the pressure drop across a given tissue surface area, while a constant air flow is passed through ( Konda et al, 2020 ; Zangmeister et al, 2020 ; Cortes et al, 2021 ; Forouzandeh et al, 2021 ). According to guidelines currently available in this country (AFNOR SPEC S76-001:2020), breathability should correspond to a flow at least 96 L.s −1 through a tissue area of 1 m 2 under a differential pressure of 1 hPa; that is, a resistance of 104 hPa.s.L −1 .cm −2 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Physical Analog to Assess Surgical Face Mask Air Flow Resistance During Tidal Ventilation

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A large variety of disposable face masks have been produced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Decreased resistance to inspiration improves adherence to the use of the mask; the so called breathability is usually estimated by the measurement of air flow across a section of the tissue under a given pressure difference. We hypothesized that the mask pressure—flow relationship studied in conditions that mimic tidal breathing could allow a more comprehensive characterization of airflow resistance, a major determinant of mask comfort. A physical analog was made of a plaster cast dummy head connected through a pneumotachograph to a series of bellows inflated/deflated by a respirator. Pressure was measured at the mock airway opening over which the mask was carefully secured. The precision of the measurement equipment was quantified using two estimates of measurement error: repeatability coefficient (RC) and within-mask coefficient of variation (CVwm). The airflow resistance of 10 surgical masks was tested on 4 different days. Resistance means did not differ significantly among four repeated measures (0.34 hPa.s.L−1; 0.37 hPa.s.L−1; 0.37 hPa.s.L−1; and 0.37 hPa.s.L−1; p = 0.08), the estimated RC was 0.08 hPa.s.L−1 [95%CI: 0.06–0.10 hPa.s.L−1], and CVwm was 8.7% [95%CI: 1.5–12.2%]. Multiple comparisons suggest the presence of a learning effect by which the operator reduced the error over the course of repetitive resistance measurements. Measurement precision improved considerably when the first set of measures was not taken into account [RC ~ 0.05 hPa.s.L−1 (95%CI: 0.03–0.06 hPa.s.L−1); CVwm~4.5% (95%CI: 1.9–6.1%)]. The testing of the face mask resistance (R) appears simple and highly repeatable in conditions that resemble tidal breathing, once operator training was assured. The procedure adds further to the current standard assessment of breathability and allows estimating the maximal added respiratory load, about 10–20% of the respiratory resistance reported in heathy adult subjects.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Physical Analog to Assess Surgical Face Mask Air Flow Resistance During Tidal Ventilation

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There are currently some strategies to protect people from reusing medical masks, such as dry heat, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, moist heat incubation, and hydrogen peroxide vapor. Most of these reports focused on the disinfection of masks in medical institutions [19][20][21][22]. However, reuse of disposable masks is not recommended because of the potential risk of wearing a SARS-CoV-2-contaminated mask.…”

Section: About Reusing Disinfection Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, reuse of disposable masks is not recommended because of the potential risk of wearing a SARS-CoV-2-contaminated mask. Most of these reports focused on the disinfection of masks in medical institutions [19][20][21][22]. However, reuse of disposable masks is not recommended because of the potential risk of wearing a SARS-CoV-2-contaminated mask.…”

Section: About Reusing Disinfection Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Reuse of Mask during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan

Cheng

Yen

Lin

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mask usage is an effective measure to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection; however, mask reuse is not recommended. Studies examining the factors associated with mask reuse during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are limited. This nationwide survey aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mask reuse among Taiwanese citizens during the pandemic. From 18 May through 31 May 2020, a computer-assisted telephone interview system was used to randomly select Taiwanese citizens for interview regarding COVID-19-preventive behaviors and knowledge on mask usage. For a total of 1075 participants, the overall mean age was 57.4 years, and 82.2% of participants reported mask reuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. After controlling for other covariates, participants who had a greater knowledge of mask usage or had a high supply of masks were less likely to reuse masks during the pandemic. Moreover, generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis showed that, compared with the participants’ mask-wearing behaviors before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were more likely to reuse masks during the pandemic. Thus, it is imperative to educate people on the correct usage of masks. Furthermore, the government should provide sufficient masks to the general population to reduce mask reuse.

show abstract

“…( 33 ) Asymptomatic patient and staff masking has been shown to decrease the risk of hospitalisation of infected dialysis patients. ( 25 ) Despite shortages and some evidence that reuse of masks following decontamination was acceptable,( 34 ) staff did not report having to use masks that were beyond the manufacturer’s suggested expiration date, or to re-use masks following decontamination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on In-Center Hemodialysis Services: An ISN-Dialysis Outcomes Practice Patterns Study Survey

Aylward

Bieber

Guedes

et al. 2022

Kidney International Reports

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on haemodialysis centres, The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study and International Society of Nephrology (ISN) collaborated on a web-survey of centres. Methods A combined approach of random sampling and open invitation was used between March 2020 and March 2021. Responses were obtained from 412 centres in 78 countries and all 10 ISN regions. Results In 8 regions, rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection were <20% in most centres, but in North East Asia and Newly Independent States and Russia rates were ≥20% and ≥30%, respectively. Mortality was ≥10% in most centres in 8 regions, though lower in North America and Caribbean and North East Asia. Diagnostic testing was not available in 33%, 37%, and 61% of centres in Latin America, Africa, and East and Central Europe, respectively. Surgical masks were widely available, but severe shortages of particulate-air filter masks were reported in Latin America (18%) and Africa (30%). Rates of infection in staff ranged from 0% in 90% of centres in North East Asia to ≥50% in 63% of centres in the Middle East and 68% of centres in Newly Independent States and Russia. In most centres <10% of staff died, but in Africa and South Asia 2% and 6% of centres reported ≥50% mortality, respectively. Conclusion There has been wide global variation in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates amongst haemodialysis patients and staff, PPE availability, and testing, and the ways in which services have been redesigned in response to the pandemic.

show abstract

Decontamination and re-use of surgical masks and respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 14 publications

References 15 publications

A Physical Analog to Assess Surgical Face Mask Air Flow Resistance During Tidal Ventilation

A Physical Analog to Assess Surgical Face Mask Air Flow Resistance During Tidal Ventilation

Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Reuse of Mask during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan

The Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on In-Center Hemodialysis Services: An ISN-Dialysis Outcomes Practice Patterns Study Survey

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About