Effect of moist heat reprocessing of N95 respirators on SARS-CoV-2 inactivation and respirator function
Effect of moist heat reprocessing of N95 respirators on SARS-CoV-2 inactivation and respirator function
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DOI：
10.1503/cmaj.201203
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发表时间：
2020-10-13
影响因子：
14.6
通讯作者：
Borschel, Gregory H.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Daeschler, Simeon C.;Manson, Niclas;Borschel, Gregory H.
背景：在2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行期间，对N95口罩的需求前所未有，导致这些口罩在全球范围内短缺。我们验证了一个快速适用的，低成本的去污协议，符合监管标准，使N95消毒器的安全重复使用。方法：我们接种了4种常见型号的N95消毒器与严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2），并在70摄氏度和0%相对湿度消毒60分钟后，评估病毒灭活。同样，我们评估了接种大肠杆菌的口罩在0%至70%相对湿度下的热消毒。我们评估口罩进行多个周期的热消毒的结构完整性，使用扫描电子显微镜和保护功能，使用美国国家职业安全与健康研究所的标准，颗粒过滤效率，呼吸阻力和呼吸器fitt.RESULTS：一个单一的热处理呈现SARS-CoV-2检测不到的所有口罩样品。与未处理的接种对照口罩相比，E.在70 ℃和50%相对湿度下处理的面罩中，24小时的大肠杆菌培养物几乎检测不到（600 nm波长下的光密度，0.02 +/- 0.02 v.2.77 +/- 0.09，p < 0.001），但在较低相对湿度下处理的面罩中污染持续存在。经过10个消毒周期，口罩保持纤维直径类似于未经处理的口罩，并继续符合标准的适合，过滤效率和呼吸resistance.Interpretation：热消毒成功地净化N95净化器，而不损害结构完整性或功能。这一过程可用于医院和长期护理机构，这些机构拥有常用的设备，以减轻N95口罩的消耗。
BACKGROUND:Unprecedented demand for N95 respirators during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global shortage of these masks. We validated a rapidly applicable, low-cost decontamination protocol in compliance with regulatory standards to enable the safe reuse of N95 respirators.METHODS:We inoculated 4 common models of N95 respirators with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and evaluated viral inactivation after disinfection for 60 minutes at 70 degrees C and 0% relative humidity. Similarly, we evaluated thermal disinfection at 0% to 70% relative humidity for masks inoculated with Escherichia coli. We assessed masks subjected to multiple cycles of thermal disinfection for structural integrity using scanning electron microscopy and for protective functions using standards of the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for particle filtration efficiency, breathing resistance and respirator fit.RESULTS:A single heat treatment rendered SARS-CoV-2 undetectable in all mask samples. Compared with untreated inoculated control masks, E. coli cultures at 24 hours were virtually undetectable from masks treated at 70 degrees C and 50% relative humidity (optical density at 600 nm wavelength, 0.02 +/- 0.02 v. 2.77 +/- 0.09, p < 0.001), but contamination persisted for masks treated at lower relative humidity. After 10 disinfection cycles, masks maintained fibre diameters similar to untreated masks and continued to meet standards for fit, filtration efficiency and breathing resistance.INTERPRETATION:Thermal disinfection successfully decontaminated N95 respirators without impairing structural integrity or function. This process could be used in hospitals and long-term care facilities with commonly available equipment to mitigate the depletion of N95 masks.