N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) Process for Decontamina

[LiberalArkie]

N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) Process for Decontamination and Reuse




https://www.nebraskamed.com/sites/default/files/documents/covid-19/n-95-decon-process.pdf

[Chainfire]

1. I have just been washing mine

in hot soapy water, and leaving in the sun to dry. It is holding up pretty well.

[LisaL]

3. What are you washing? Homemade mask or an actual N95 respirator?

N95 respirators shouldn't be washed in hot soapy water.

[Chainfire]

6. I am washing out N-95 masks

I really don't see why the mask should not be cleaned and re-worn. I do understand why it would be impractical to do so on an industrial or institutional basis. In any case, I have a dozen masks and no replacements in the pipeline. If you use the data in the post above, the drop in efficiency of a mask, cleaned with steam is about 3%. Of course, neither the liable attorneys nor the marketing specialist would ever approve cleaning a paper mask. If I had an unlimited supply I wouldn't be going through the trouble; extraordinary times require extraordinary measures. In the meantime, if I have to go out in public I will wear a new mask, if I mow, I will wear a washed mask.

I had a dozen masks before this mess started. I use them when I mow or work in my shop. In the past I would toss them at the end of a project. I have just been carefully hand washing the masks so as to conserve my little stash. Frankly, I was surprised how well they held up to the washing. Hot water, Dawn, and sunshine. I don't know how many iterations they will take, but I may find out.

[LisaL]

8. It decreases effectiveness.

"However, washing the mask was much worse than natural “aging.” Washing decreased particle capture by 21%."

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/washing-masks-effective-virus/

[Chainfire]

11. So would you rather have a 79% filtration

or just count on your nose hairs. Masks aren't growing on trees. (except the ones I am hanging to dry)

Actually the number I read was a 3% reduction in effectiveness. But since I haven't done extensive testing myself, I will accept your number.

[CountAllVotes]

2. How does one decontaminate an N95 mask that has been used?

Any ideas for those that do not have access to such a facility?

[hardluck]

4. Here you go

https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fstanfordmedicine.app.box.com%2Fv%2Fcovid19-PPE-1-2

This was posted by another DU’er so credit to them.

[SWBTATTReg]

5. Thanks! I always wondered if I could use a regular microwave to zap paper towels? The article...

seems to say that (I don't disinfect masks) if you zap in an oven, it could damage the material (heat warped), thus I assume a microwave would do the same thing (warp the material).

[CountAllVotes]

7. thanks

I do not have a microwave oven, just a range.

The lowest setting is abt. 300 degrees so that is not an option.

Will see what else I can find.

Thanks again.

[SmartVoter22]

9. Make your own filter...use furnace filters

Furnace filters, like medical masks are made from polypropylene. Many are rated using the MERV rating.
N95 masks have a MERV 13 rating.
These furnace filters (some called HEPA) cost about $20 for a set of 3 filters.
Tear them apart, to get at the pleated material. Be careful doing this if there is a metal mesh cover the filtering material.

Flatten out the material and cut out face masks, lots of templates online for this, and you can make your own, that are rated 13 or higher to trap viruses. But only if the filter rating is 13 or higher. If you can only find ratings around 9, they will make a usable mask that will provide some protection.

Be creative and think like your grand/great-grand parents who survived the Great Depression. They had 200+ uses for a newspaper!

[LiberalArkie]

10. Look up Filtrete by 3m