Disinfection of N95 masks artificially contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE bacteria using hydrogen peroxide plasma: Impact on the reutilization of disposable devices

Abstract

Introduction: One of the serious consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is the shortage of protective equipment for health personnel. N95 masks are considered one of the essential protective equipment in the management of patients with COVID-19. The shortage of N95 masks implies potential health risks for health personnel and significant economic losses for the health institution. The objective of this work was to investigate the disinfection of N95 masks artificially contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE bacteria by using hydrogen peroxide plasma. Material and methods: We examined the disinfection capacity of hydrogen peroxide plasma against the SARS-CoV-2 and 2 members of the ESKAPE bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus) through a study of artificial contamination in situ of N95 masks. Amplification of specific genes by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of SARS-CoV-2 and microbiological culture of ESKAPE bacteria was performed before and after the disinfection process. Results: SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in all assays using 5 different concentrations of the virus, and A baumannii and S aureus were not cultivable with inoculums of 10 2 to 10 6 CFU after disinfection tests of N95 masks with hydrogen peroxide plasma. Conclusion: Disinfection of N95 masks by using the hydrogen peroxide plasma technology can be an alternative for their reuse in a shortage situation. Implications for the use of disinfection technologies of N95 masks and the safety of health personnel are discussed.

Technological Scenario for Masks in Patent Database During Covid-19 Pandemic

“…Due to this capacity of disinfection, some patents have been seen using the ultraviolet (UV) germicidal technology, such as AU2020100228 (A4), TW202007419 (A), CN110856559 (A), CN210203464 (U), and KR20200030332 (A), which can improve the durability of the masks (121)(122)(123)(124). The increase of the disinfection and reusable devices occurs due to the critical situation that the coronavirus pandemic provided; however, the PPE should be single-used device (125) (Table VII).…”

“…Moreover, the masks are considered the most applicable PPE to the routine care to decrease the transmission of acute respiratory infection (125). Thus, the high demand for masks also increased the level of technology and versatility employed in them (138).…”

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

“…Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide was evaluated in its liquid, plasma and gas/vapor forms by nineteen laboratory studies. 28,[35][36][37][38][39]43,47,[53][54][55][56][57]60,61,64,68,70,71 The effect of hydrogen peroxide on the ltering capacity varied according to the method used. Hydrogen peroxide plasma led to changes in the masks' metallic nasal clips 61 and degradation in their ltering performance.…”

Désinfection à la chaleur humide des respirateurs N95, inactivation du SRAS-CoV-2 et effets sur les propriétés des respirateurs

“…La Food and Drug Administration des États-Unis a récemment autorisé la stérilisation en urgence de respirateurs N95 à usage unique au moyen de peroxyde d'hydrogène vaporisé 21,22 . Cette substance inactive le SRAS-CoV-2 et d'autres agents pathogènes sur les respirateurs N95 tout en préservant l'ajustement quantitatif de ces derniers pour au moins 3 cycles de décontamination 23,24 . Cette pour accroître les stocks mondiaux d'EPI.…”