Extended use or reuse of N95 respirators during COVID-19 pandemic: An overview of national regulatory authority recommendations

Kobayashi, Leticia Mitiko; Marins, Bianca Ramos; Costa, Patrícia; Perazzo, Hugo; Castro, Rodolfo

doi:10.1017/ice.2020.173

Cited by 46 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…17,18 The CDC recommends 2 conservation strategies for respirators: extended use and limited reuse. 29,30 Surgical and respiratory masks are for single use per patient. However, conservation of these resources is imperative in this crisis.…”

Section: Types Of Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…24 Different decontamination strategies, such as sterilization by exposure to ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), ethylene oxide, or vaporized hydrogen peroxide, have been shown to be effective in maintaining adequate protective function. 30,[33][34][35][36] In 1 study, different common sterilization methods for masks were performed including heat treatment, cabinet UVGI sterilizer, steam, alcohol solutions, and chlorine-based solutions. The last 2 methods caused degradation of the static charge required by the FFR.…”

Section: Sterilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effectiveness and Recommendations for the Use of Dental Masks in the Prevention of COVID-19: A Literature Review

Arellano-Cotrina

Marengo-Coronel

Atoche-Socola

et al. 2020

Disaster med. public health prep.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The purpose of this investigation was to identify, synthesize and compare all the current information on the efficacy of dental masks, emphasizing their use, types and filters to prevent the spread and infection of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. A bibliographic search of the main scientific databases was carried out using the words “masks, COVID-19 and dentistry”. Articles without language restriction up to May 31, 2020 were obtained. The types of masks, their half-life, method to use, sterilization, and proposed alternatives for dental masks were analyzed. Most of the articles refer to the use of N95 or FFP2 respirators presented as a strategy to extend the life of the masks and limited reuse. Regarding sterilization, most of the articles presented studies using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) as the sterilization method. Regarding respirator mask half-life, we recommend prolonged use, combined with a disposable surgical mask over the respirator mask. Finally, the use of N95 or FFP2 respirators are recommended as part of personal protective equipment for dental use.

show abstract

Section: Types Of Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sterilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness and Recommendations for the Use of Dental Masks in the Prevention of COVID-19: A Literature Review

Arellano-Cotrina

Marengo-Coronel

Atoche-Socola

et al. 2020

Disaster med. public health prep.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…If unavailable, then recovery within the operating room should occur, with the additional benefit of minimizing transport and exposure to other areas of the hospital. Many advisories have recommended the prolonged wearing of N95 masks for conservation of PPE supplies [35]. For cases of confirmed or high suspicion COVID-19, however, all PPE, including N95 masks, should be doffed completely to minimize further exposure risk.…”

Section: Emergence and Extubation In Pediatric Anesthesia In The Covimentioning

confidence: 99%

Unique challenges in pediatric anesthesia created by COVID-19

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected anesthetic care worldwide, including the provision of anesthesia for pediatric patients. Hospitals have balanced the risks associated with the potential surges of resource-intensive COVID-19 patients against the probable morbidity of delaying elective surgical procedures. These decisions are complicated by the unclear influence that COVID-19 has on the perioperative risk for disease-positive pediatric patients. We conducted a comprehensive literature search on MEDLINE for publications involving pediatric patients with COVID-19 who underwent general anesthesia. A total of eight publications met inclusion criteria, and together described 20 patients. Nine patients had documented preoperative COVID-19 symptoms and one perioperative death was reported. Overall, further studies are needed to increase patient numbers and properly assess the perioperative risk. As we continue to provide care without clear guiding data, we present a discussion of modified anesthetic techniques for pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

show abstract

“…The number of masks in use per individual per day in the UK during a pandemic depends on an individual's responsibilities and lifestyle. Public Health England (PHE), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and others, recommend surgical masks are only used for maximum of 6 hours or to be discarded if found to be moist or wet (2 to 6 hours) (62,63). We acknowledge that the use of one mask per individual per day is likely not reflective of actual mask use.…”

Section: Environmental Assessment Of Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, there are also members of society who are required to attend work and therefore require the use the face masks. Under recommendation by the Public Health England (PHE) and World Health Organisation (WHO), the maximum use duration of surgical masks is 6 hours (ranging 2 to 6 hours) and should be discarded once moist or wet (62). Another study has stated that surgical masks are not effective after 4 hours (63).…”

Section: En1827:1999 "Respiratory Protective Devices -Half Masks Withmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact and effectiveness of the general public wearing masks to reduce the spread of pandemics in the UK: a multidisciplinary comparison of single-use masks versus reusable face masks.

Allison

Ambrose-Dempster

Aparsi

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government has mandated the use of face masks in various public settings and recommends the use of reusable masks to combat shortages of medically graded single-use masks in healthcare. To assist decision-making on the choice of masks for future pandemics, where shortages may not be a contributing factor, the UCL Plastic Waste Innovation Hub has carried out a multidisciplinary comparison between single-use and reusable masks based on their anatomy, standalone effectiveness, behavioural considerations, environmental impacts and costs. Although current single-use masks have a higher standalone effectiveness against bacteria and viruses, studies show that reusable masks have adequate performance in slowing infection rates of respiratory viruses. Material Flow Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment and cost comparison show that reusable masks have a lower environmental and economic impact than single-use masks. If every person in the UK uses one single-use mask each day for a year, it will create a total waste of 124,000 tonnes, 66,000 tonnes of which would be unrecyclable contaminated plastic waste. Using reusable masks creates >85% less waste, generates 3.5 times lower impact on climate change and incurs 3.7 times lower costs. Further behavioural research is necessary to understand the extent and current practices of mask use, and its effectiveness in reducing infection rates. Wearing single-use masks may be preferred over reusable masks due to perceptions of increased hygiene and convenience. Understanding behaviour towards the regular machine-washing of reusable masks for their effective reuse is key to maximise their public health benefits and minimise environmental and economic costs.

show abstract

Extended use or reuse of N95 respirators during COVID-19 pandemic: An overview of national regulatory authority recommendations

Cited by 46 publications

References 5 publications

Effectiveness and Recommendations for the Use of Dental Masks in the Prevention of COVID-19: A Literature Review

Effectiveness and Recommendations for the Use of Dental Masks in the Prevention of COVID-19: A Literature Review

Unique challenges in pediatric anesthesia created by COVID-19

The impact and effectiveness of the general public wearing masks to reduce the spread of pandemics in the UK: a multidisciplinary comparison of single-use masks versus reusable face masks.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About