Effect of various decontamination procedures on disposable N95 mask integrity and SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.

Publication Title

J Clin Transl Sci

Authors

Jeffrey S Smith, Providence Portland Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Haley Hanseler
John Welle, Regional Pathology, Providence St. Joseph Health, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Rogan Rattray, Regional Pathology, Providence St. Joseph Health, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Mary Campbell, Regional Pathology, Providence St. Joseph Health, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Tacy Brotherton, Cancer Research Animal Division, Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Tarsem Moudgil, Molecular & Tumor Immunology, Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Thomas F Pack
Keith Wegmann, Molecular & Tumor Immunology, Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Shawn Jensen, Molecular & Tumor Immunology, Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Justin Jin, Providence Portland Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Carlo B Bifulco, Regional Pathology, Providence St. Joseph Health, Portland, Oregon, USA, Translational Molecular Pathology and Molecular Genomics, Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Scott A Prahl
Bernard A Fox, Molecular & Tumor Immunology, Robert W. Franz Cancer Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow
Nicholas L Stucky, Providence Portland Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USAFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-11-2020

Keywords

oregon; portland; ppmc; chiles

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a high demand on personal protective equipment, including disposable N95 masks. Given the need for mask reuse, we tested the feasibility of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), ultraviolet light (UV), and ethanol decontamination strategies on N95 mask integrity and the ability to remove the infectious potential of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Disposable N95 masks, including medical grade (1860, 1870+) and industrial grade (8511) masks, were treated by VHP, UV, and ethanol decontamination. Mask degradation was tested using a quantitative respirator fit testing. Pooled clinical samples of SARS-CoV-2 were applied to mask samples, treated, and then either sent immediately for real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or incubated with Vero E6 cells to assess for virucidal effect.

Results: Both ethanol and UV decontamination showed functional degradation to different degrees while VHP treatment showed no significant change after two treatments. We also report a single SARS-CoV-2 virucidal experiment using Vero E6 cell infection in which only ethanol treatment eliminated detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Conclusions: We hope our data will guide further research for evidenced-based decisions for disposable N95 mask reuse and help protect caregivers from SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens.

Specialty/Research Institute

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Specialty/Research Institute

Earle A. Chiles Research Institute

Specialty/Research Institute

Allergy & Immunology