In fact, some methods require specific technology or resources that make the decontamination process more expensive. Another factor to consider would be that the method chosen for disinfection must be adapted to the needs of the companies in terms of time and amounts of decontaminated FFP respirators. Even it can take into account other issues such as the traceability of the process or the confidence that is generated in Medical masks the workers who must reuse the FFP respirators. Similar conclusions regarding Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor have been established by the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment through a pilot study carried out with MATACHANA Hydrogen Peroxide sterilizers. This study has confirmed that hydrogen peroxide sterilization is a valid reprocessing method for FFP respirators in order to inactive coronavirus.
Consult your healthcare provider if these symptoms do not resolve. Some types of masks and respirators may feel different if your child is used to wearing a regular cloth or disposable procedure masks. This is a process based on applying heat and humidity to the FFP respirators. There are different studies that address this method for the disinfection of FFP respirators (3M, 2020b, Bergman et al., 2010, Bergman et al., 2011, Heimbuch et al., 2011, Lore et al., 2012, Viscusi et al., 2011). Among them, the study carried out by 3M is the only one that specifically focuses on the inactivation of SARS-COV-2. They used an environment chamber and introduced each FFP respirator in a high temperature self-seal pouch.
However, due to the shortage of these masks caused by the COVID-19 crisis, manufacturers, including 3M, governments and related agencies and institutions began to analyze the reuse, disinfection or sterilization of PPE (– FFP respirators). This situation of widespread shortages has led the civil society in different countries face mask to dedicate itself to making all kinds of improvised facemasks without any guarantee of certification or homologation (see Fig. 6). Initially, individuals began to do this and the idea spread across social networks, which resulted in misunderstandings and sometimes including intentional fakes or hoaxes by trolls.
Face shields are common in schools because of the sustained close contact, but according to the CDC, they are not effective as a standalone preventative measure or as a replacement for a face mask. (They can be washed along with other laundry.) Dry them in the dryer or hang them outside in the sun. Wearing a medical mask doesn’t increase the level of carbon dioxide in the air you breathe.
Song W., Pan B., Kan H. Evaluation of heat inactivation of virus contamination on medical mask. Finally, improvised homemade or non-certified masks are the worst alternative of those studied, although it seems better than using nothing at all. However, some bodies say that they may even increase the risk of infection due to humidity, the diffusion of liquids and the retention of the virus in the mask, which would facilitate face mask self-infection. The washing machine and dryer should be used for decontamination. Finally, it must be considered that many of these studies and tests presented are carried out with a specific type and/or model of mask. Therefore, it is necessary to be cautious since they can have different effects on other models or types of masks and reduce their effectiveness or affect the properties of the mask or even the straps.
Additionally, washing with soapy water can also affect the electrostatic properties of the fibers or even deform the mask . In addition to the above, some organizations indicate that these improvised masks should be the last solution and for low-risk cases, but that they can even increase the risk of infection due to humidity, liquid diffusion and virus retention . Researchers have developed an accessible way to make N95 face masks not only effective barriers to germs, but on-contact germ killers. They mixed the mask microfibers into a solution of graphene oxide before adding the mixture to cement paste. The graphene oxide provides ultrathin layers that strongly adhere to the fiber surfaces. Such mask microfibers absorb or dissipate the fracture energy that would contribute to tiny cracks in the concrete.