Analysis of SteraMist ionized hydrogen peroxide technology in the sterilization of N95 respirators and other PPE.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, including of N95 masks (filtering facepiece respirators; FFRs). These masks are intended for single use but their sterilization and subsequent reuse has the potential to substantially mitigate shortages. Here we investigate PPE sterilization using ionized hydrogen peroxide (iHP), generated by SteraMist equipment (TOMI; Frederick, MD), in a sealed environment chamber. The efficacy of sterilization by iHP was assessed using bacterial spores in biological indicator assemblies. After one or more iHP treatments, five models of N95 masks from three manufacturers were assessed for retention of function based on their ability to form an airtight seal (measured using a quantitative f

SUBMITTER: Cramer AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7819989 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature