Dry heat can effectively sanitize N95 masks: Research
Photo Credit: Safety+Health Magazine
ISLAMABAD, August 22 (online): New research has found that dry heat from an electric cooker can effectively sanitize N95 masks.
A key part of the world’s effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is the use of PPE.
COVID-19 typically spreads when a person expels droplets carrying the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, from their mouth or nose.
If the droplets come into contact with another person, there is a chance that they will gain access to their respiratory tract, where the virus will infect cells to cause disease.
PPE can take the form of gowns, visors, gloves, and masks. It forms a barrier between people and is crucial for care workers and clinical staff who may be in close contact with people with SARS-CoV-2.
The sudden emergence and rapid spread of the new coronavirus have created a huge demand for PPE. This demand has, in many cases, outstripped supply. This means that many carers and clinical staff who need the equipment are having to make do with substandard products or without any PPE at all.
In the new study, the researchers had five conditions for an effective decontamination process:
- It should kill a variety of viruses.
- It should not negatively affect the respirator’s filtration ability.
- It should still let the respirator maintain a tight fit against a person’s face.
- It should not leave harmful chemicals on the respirator.
- The process should be easily accessible.
“There are many different ways to sterilize something, but most of them will destroy the filtration or the fit of an N95 respirator.”
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