Decontamination and Reuse of N95 Masks: A Narrative Review.
Journal
The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale
ISSN: 1712-9532
Titre abrégé: Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol
Pays: Egypt
ID NLM: 101226876
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2020
2020
Historique:
received:
07
08
2020
revised:
01
11
2020
accepted:
16
11
2020
entrez:
10
12
2020
pubmed:
11
12
2020
medline:
11
12
2020
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented strain on healthcare supplies. Currently there is a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially N95 masks. In order to safeguard healthcare personnel in this critical time and to mitigate shortages of N95 respirators, reuse of N95 respirators has to be considered. Using PubMed and Science Direct, a literature search was conducted to find and synthesize relevant literature on decontamination of N95 respirators for their subsequent reuse. Peer-reviewed publications related to methods of decontamination from January 2007 to April 2020 in the English language are included in this narrative review. Bibliographies of articles for relevant literature were also scrutinized. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, reuse of N95 respirators, although suboptimal, can be considered. Evidence reveals that UVGI, MHI, and HPV are amongst the safest and efficacious methods for decontamination of N95 masks. More research is needed to establish the safety and effectiveness of MGS, MSB, dry heat, EtO, liquid hydrogen peroxide, and HPGP. Alcohol, microwave irradiation, and bleach are not recommended because they damage N95 respirators.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented strain on healthcare supplies. Currently there is a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially N95 masks. In order to safeguard healthcare personnel in this critical time and to mitigate shortages of N95 respirators, reuse of N95 respirators has to be considered.
METHODS
METHODS
Using PubMed and Science Direct, a literature search was conducted to find and synthesize relevant literature on decontamination of N95 respirators for their subsequent reuse. Peer-reviewed publications related to methods of decontamination from January 2007 to April 2020 in the English language are included in this narrative review. Bibliographies of articles for relevant literature were also scrutinized.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, reuse of N95 respirators, although suboptimal, can be considered. Evidence reveals that UVGI, MHI, and HPV are amongst the safest and efficacious methods for decontamination of N95 masks. More research is needed to establish the safety and effectiveness of MGS, MSB, dry heat, EtO, liquid hydrogen peroxide, and HPGP. Alcohol, microwave irradiation, and bleach are not recommended because they damage N95 respirators.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33299504
doi: 10.1155/2020/8869472
pmc: PMC7710392
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Pagination
8869472Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 M. A. Khan et al.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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