Disinfection of N95 masks using UV-C LED (COVID-19)

2020年3月11日，世界卫生组织宣布新型严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒2型（SARSCoV 2）爆发为大流行。COVID-19的传播速度在地球仪各地迅速发展，对有效个人防护装备（PPE）的需求不断增加，超过了可用性。在一次性个人防护用品的可预见的消耗中，N95口罩的国际短缺日益严重。鉴于供应链的挑战，迫切需要重新使用N95口罩的方法。 紫外线有可能对口罩进行消毒并支持其重复使用。特别地，从发光二极管（UV-C LED）发射的UV光由于其适应性而显示出特定的前景。来自达尔豪西的Gagnon博士和Stoddart博士将领导一个多学科团队，与来自新斯科舍省卫生局（NSHA）、AquiSense技术公司和LuminUltra技术公司的研究人员合作，为N95口罩制定全面的消毒策略。这一战略包括：（i）为N95口罩制定UV-C LED消毒方案，NSHA可迅速采用该方案重新使用N95口罩，（ii）为N95口罩制定快速UV-C LED消毒验证方案，NSHA可使用该方案进行质量保证和控制，及（iii）试验部署UV-C LED反应器，供NSHA用于N95口罩的现场消毒。

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV2) outbreak a pandemic. The rate of spread of COVID-19 is rapidly progressing around the globe and the increasing demand for effective personal protective equipment (PPE) is outpacing availability. Amid the foreseeable depletion of single-use disposable PPE, there is a growing international shortage of N95 masks. Given supply chain challenges, methods to repurpose N95 masks are urgently needed. UV light has the potential to disinfect masks and support their reuse. In particular, UV light emitted from light emitting diodes (UV-C LEDs) shows specific promise due to its adaptability. Dr. Gagnon and Stoddart from Dalhousie will lead a multi-disciplinary team in collaboration with researchers from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), AquiSense Technologies and LuminUltra Technologies to develop a comprehensive disinfection strategy for N95 masks. This strategy includes: (i) development of a UV-C LED disinfection protocol for N95 masks that can be rapidly employed by NSHA to repurpose N95 masks, (ii) development of a rapid UV-C LED disinfection validation protocol for N95 masks using rapid biomass indicator technologies that can be used by NSHA for quality assurance and control, and (iii) pilot deployment of a UV-C LED reactor that can be used by NSHA for on-site disinfection of N95 masks.