Decontamination of SARS-CoV-2 contaminated N95 filtering facepiece respirators using artificial sun lamps.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Assess the feasibility of using light from artificial sun lamps to decontaminate N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) contaminated with SARS-CoV-2.

Methods and results

FFR coupons or whole FFRs contaminated with 5 log₁₀ TCID₅₀ (target concentration) SARS-CoV-2 in culture media, simulated saliva, or simulated lung fluid were dried for 1-2 h, then exposed to light from tanning and horticulture lamps to assess decontamination. Exposed coupons and whole FFRs showed SARS-CoV-2 inactivation for all matrices tested. Furthermore, FFRs still met performance specifications after five decontamination cycles.

Conclusions

It is feasible that artificial sunlight from these sun lamps can be used to decontaminate FFRs provided the UV dose is sufficien

SUBMITTER: Glasbrenner DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8251224 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature