Reusability of filtering facepiece respirators after decontamination through drying and germicidal UV irradiation.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

During pandemics, such as the SARS-CoV-2, filtering facepiece respirators plays an essential role in protecting healthcare personnel. The recycling of respirators is possible in case of critical shortage, but it raises the question of the effectiveness of decontamination as well as the performance of the reused respirators.

Method

Disposable respirators were subjected to ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) treatment at single or successive doses of 60 mJ/cm² after a short drying cycle (30 min, 70°C). The germicidal efficacy of this treatment was tested by spiking respirators with two staphylococcal bacteriophages (vB_HSa_2002 and P66 phages). The respirator performance was investigated by the following parameters: particle penetration (NaCl aero

SUBMITTER: Vernez D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7580049 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature