The Use of UVC Irradiation to Sterilize Filtering Facepiece Masks Limiting Airborne Cross-Infection

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2020 Oct 14

PMID 33050590

Citations 7

Authors

Wojciech Kierat

Weronika Augustyn

Piotr Koper

Miroslawa Pawlyta

Arkadiusz Chrusciel

Bernard Wyrwol

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In addition to looking for effective drugs and a vaccine, which are necessary to save and protect human health, it is also important to limit, or at least to slow, the spread of coronavirus. One important element in this action is the use of individual protective devices such as filtering facepiece masks. Currently, masks that use a mechanical filter, such as a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, are often used. In some countries that do not have a well-developed healthcare system or in exceptional situations, there is a real and pressing need to restore filters for reuse. This article presents technical details for a very simple device for sterilization, including of HEPA polymer filters. The results of biological and microscopic tests confirming the effectiveness of the sterilization performed in the device are presented. The compact and portable design of the device also allows its use to disinfect other small surfaces, for example a small fragment of a floor, table, or bed.

Citing Articles

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Zhang Y, Kin Peng Hui F, Duffield C, Saeed A Build Environ. 2022; 221:109347.

PMID: 35782231 PMC: 9238148. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109347.

Sterilization of paper during crisis.

Alshammari F, Hussein H AMB Express. 2022; 12(1):13.

PMID: 35132491 PMC: 8821744. DOI: 10.1186/s13568-022-01345-6.

Inactivation of Spores and Vegetative Forms of by Chemical Biocides: Mechanisms of Biocidal Activity, Methods of Evaluation, and Environmental Aspects.

Augustyn W, Chrusciel A, Hreczuch W, Kalka J, Tarka P, Kierat W Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(2).

PMID: 35055571 PMC: 8775970. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020750.

Effect of gamma irradiation on filtering facepiece respirators and SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Al-Hadyan K, Alsbeih G, Al-Harbi N, Bin Judia S, Al-Ghamdi M, Almousa A Sci Rep. 2021; 11(1):19888.

PMID: 34615977 PMC: 8494839. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99414-6.

In-House Filtration Efficiency Assessment of Vapor Hydrogen Peroxide Decontaminated Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs).

Al-Hadyan K, Alsbeih G, Nobah A, Lindstrom J, Falatah S, Faran N Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(13).

PMID: 34281105 PMC: 8297238. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137169.

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