Reprocessing of N95 masks: Experience from a resource-limited setting in India

Rohit, Anusha; Rajasekaran, Shankar; Shenoy, Suchitra; Rai, Sumit; Karunasagar, Iddya; Dorairajan, Suresh Kumar

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.12.070

Cited by 13 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The treatments of coronavirus infected humans through UV-C radiations are very rare or in very initial stage. However sanitization of N-95 masks during covid-19 pandemic was highly recommended through this technique ( Peters et al, 2021 , Rohit et al, 2021 ). Besides, the contaminated waste water containing COVID 19 virus can be treated through high temperature (greater than 56°C) and UV C (100-280nm) ( Parsa et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Uv-radiations Against Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollution free UV-C radiation to mitigate COVID-19 transmission

et al. 2023

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Section: Uv-radiations Against Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollution free UV-C radiation to mitigate COVID-19 transmission

et al. 2023

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“…Mask is essential for non-infected and infected people, infected people can prevent the spread of the virus by covering their face, and uninfected people can protect themselves against the COVID-19 virus by covering their faces [ 80 , 81 ]. The most commonly used face masks are called N95, which can filter 95% of contaminants in a certain size [ 82 , 83 ]. However, the COVID-19 virus is capable to retain on the surface of the textile.…”

Section: Preventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anti-COVID-19 Nanomaterials: Directions to Improve Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

et al. 2022

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Following the announcement of the outbreak of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, unprecedented efforts were made by researchers around the world to combat the disease. So far, various methods have been developed to combat this “virus” nano enemy, in close collaboration with the clinical and scientific communities. Nanotechnology based on modifiable engineering materials and useful physicochemical properties has demonstrated several methods in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. Here, based on what has been clarified so far from the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2, through an interdisciplinary perspective based on computational science, engineering, pharmacology, medicine, biology, and virology, the role of nano-tools in the trio of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is highlighted. The special properties of different nanomaterials have led to their widespread use in the development of personal protective equipment, anti-viral nano-coats, and disinfectants in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 out-body. The development of nano-based vaccines acts as a strong shield in-body. In addition, fast detection with high efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 by nanomaterial-based point-of-care devices is another nanotechnology capability. Finally, nanotechnology can play an effective role as an agents carrier, such as agents for blocking angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, gene editing agents, and therapeutic agents. As a general conclusion, it can be said that nanoparticles can be widely used in disinfection applications outside in vivo. However, in in vivo applications, although it has provided promising results, it still needs to be evaluated for possible unintended immunotoxicity. Reviews like these can be important documents for future unwanted pandemics.

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“…Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI, 250 to 280 nm) is a portion of the UV-C spectrum (200 to 280 nm) frequently generated using low-pressure mercury lamps emitting at 253.7 nm [21]. Although the dose (or fluence) required to inactivate bacteria and viruses has been studied over the years [21], the current COVID-19 pandemic has reignited the need to develop cost-effective procedures to decontaminate surfaces and materials using UV-C [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, UV-C doses ranging from 16.9 mJ/cm 2 in cell culture [41] to 1500 mJ/cm 2 on FFR [42] are reportedly required to fully inactivate virus replication.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultraviolet-C Irradiation, Heat, and Storage as Potential Methods of Inactivating SARS-CoV-2 and Bacterial Pathogens on Filtering Facepiece Respirators

et al. 2022

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The arrival of SARS-CoV-2 to Aotearoa/New Zealand in February 2020 triggered a massive response at multiple levels. Procurement and sustainability of medical supplies to hospitals and clinics during the then upcoming COVID-19 pandemic was one of the top priorities. Continuing access to new personal protective equipment (PPE) was not guaranteed; thus, disinfecting and reusing PPE was considered as a potential alternative. Here, we describe part of a local program intended to test and implement a system to disinfect PPE for potential reuse in New Zealand. We used filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) coupons inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 or clinically relevant multidrug-resistant pathogens (Acinetobacter baumannii Ab5075, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 LAC and cystic-fibrosis isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa LESB58), to evaluate the potential use of ultraviolet-C germicidal irradiation (UV-C) or dry heat treatment to disinfect PPE. An applied UV-C dose of 1000 mJ/cm2 was sufficient to completely inactivate high doses of SARS-CoV-2; however, irregularities in the FFR coupons hindered the efficacy of UV-C to fully inactivate the virus, even at higher UV-C doses (2000 mJ/cm2). Conversely, incubating contaminated FFR coupons at 65 °C for 30 min or 70 °C for 15 min, was sufficient to block SARS-CoV-2 replication, even in the presence of mucin or a soil load (mimicking salivary or respiratory secretions, respectively). Dry heat (90 min at 75 °C to 80 °C) effectively killed 106 planktonic bacteria; however, even extending the incubation time up to two hours at 80 °C did not completely kill bacteria when grown in colony biofilms. Importantly, we also showed that FFR material can harbor replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 for up to 35 days at room temperature in the presence of a soil load. We are currently using these findings to optimize and establish a robust process for decontaminating, reusing, and reducing wastage of PPE in New Zealand.

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Reprocessing of N95 masks: Experience from a resource-limited setting in India

Cited by 13 publications

References 10 publications

Pollution free UV-C radiation to mitigate COVID-19 transmission

Pollution free UV-C radiation to mitigate COVID-19 transmission

Anti-COVID-19 Nanomaterials: Directions to Improve Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Ultraviolet-C Irradiation, Heat, and Storage as Potential Methods of Inactivating SARS-CoV-2 and Bacterial Pathogens on Filtering Facepiece Respirators

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