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Researchers combine heat and humidity to disinfect N95 masks for reuse

 


Healthcare workers who lack protective equipment such as N95 masks are forced to reuse their gear, increasing the risk of spreading coronavirus infection.

However, researchers at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at the Ministry of Energy, Stanford University, and the University of Texas School of Medicine may inactivate the trapped SARS-CoV-2 virus when gently heating the N95 mask in high relative humidity. I discovered something that could help along the way. In the mask without compromising performance.

“This is really a problem, so if we can find a way to recycle the mask dozens of times, the shortage will be even less,” said Stanford physicist Steven Chu, the lead author of the new paper.

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“Imagine that each doctor or nurse has a personal collection of up to 12 masks. The ability to decontaminate some of these masks during a coffee break contaminated with the Covid-19 virus. Patients who are less likely to expose other masks to the mask. “

In a new study, Chu worked with virologist Scott Weaver of the University of Texas School of Medicine and Stanford / SLAC professors Lee Kui and Wow Chiu to focus on the combination of heat and humidity and attempt to decontaminate the mask.

The team working at the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses with Biosafety Measures to Handle the World’s Most Infectious Viruses was first designed to mimic the liquids that could be sprayed. I mixed a batch of SARS-CoV-2 virus with the liquid that came out of my mouth when coughing, sneezing, singing, or just breathing.

“They then sprayed and dried brew droplets on the melt-blown dough, the material used in most N95 masks.”

They heated the sample at temperatures in the range of 25-95 ° C for up to 30 minutes to bring relative humidity up to 100%.

Higher humidity and heat significantly reduced the amount of virus the team could detect with the mask, but care had to be taken not to overheat. Additional testing may reduce the ability of the material to remove the droplets that carry the virus.

The sweet spot seemed to be 85 degrees Celsius and 100% relative humidity. After cooking the mask under these conditions, the team was unable to find any trace of SARS-CoV-2.

Additional results show that the mask can be decontaminated and reused 20 times and the process works with at least two other viruses. Human coronavirus and chikungunya virus that catch colds.

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Weaver of UT Medical Branch said the results weren’t particularly surprising, but researchers have long known that heat and humidity are good ways to inactivate the virus – details such as mask decontamination. There was no urgent need for quantitative analysis until now. The new data “provides some quantitative guidance for the future,” he said.

And even after the coronavirus pandemic is over, partly because of the application of methods other than SARS-CoV-2 to other viruses and the economic and environmental benefits of reusing masks. , There are advantages. “It’s good in all respects,” Cui said.

The team reported the results on ACS Nano on September 25th.

The study, funded by the Coronavirus CARES Method and the Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, through the National Institute of Virtual Biotechnology, a consortium of DOE National Laboratories focused on covid-19 response. , Supported by the DOE Science Bureau. , Funded by the National Institutes of Health.

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