Validation of N95 respirator mask for the Re-use in the pandemic crisis

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Original Article

Author Details : Nandini M P, Prasanna Simha Mohan Rao, Prabhu Manohar, Naveena J, Kavitha K, Sathyavathi S*

Volume : 7, Issue : 4, Year : 2021

Article Page : 232-236

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijmmtd.2021.048

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Abstract

Background & Objectives: The SARS COVID 19 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus Disease 2019) pandemic has created a surge in the need for N95 respirators all across the world. Health care systems are struggling to find a way to cleanse and decontaminate the N95 masks for reuse. To combat the crisis there is a need to validate the N95 mask for efficiency and air filterability on repeated exposure to UV irradiation and vaporized hydrogen peroxide with equal parts of normal saline.
Materials and Methods: To validate N95 respirator mask by using UVGI (Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation) method using UV hood and VHP (Vaporized Hydrogen peroxide 6% with equal volume saline 0.9% using an OT fogger machine).
Results: VHP decontamination is the method of choice to repeatedly re-sterilize N95 masks.
Interpretation & Conclusion: Decontamination by the VHP method is more efficient in killing microorganisms within a short duration of exposure (60 minutes). The method retains the texture of the mask material, re-usability and air filterability even with repeated exposure (up to 10 times). UVGI does sterilize the mask but is inferior to VHP in retaining air filterability.
 
Keywords: Decontamination, VHP, UVGI, Air filterability, Health care workers, N95 mask

How to cite : Nandini M P, Rao P S M, Manohar P, Naveena J, Kavitha K, Sathyavathi S, Validation of N95 respirator mask for the Re-use in the pandemic crisis. IP Int J Med Microbiol Trop Dis 2021;7(4):232-236

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