Larry

Is there a URL to the Anesthesia Informatics and Media Lab document? I could not find it on their web site.

The ACS Chemical Health and Safety journal wants to provide some insight into the discussion today.

nl

Hi Tried sending this with document attached but was rejected by site.  So am placing a link here that I hope will get one to the site of the same document: Final Report for the Bioquell Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV) Decontamination for Reuse of N95 Respirators

http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170113034232/http://www.fda.gov/downloads/EmergencyPreparedness/Counterterrorism/MedicalCountermeasures/MCMRegulatoryScience/UCM516998.pdf

Neal et al, 

Keep in mind particulate filtering respirators were developed primarily for inert particulate matter (wood dust, silica, etc.).   When used in a clinical setting, the particulate matter is no longer inert, but potentially can replicate and infect individuals upon exposure (uptake).  For this reason, reuse of an N-95 is not typically recommended for use in biohazard protection, as a general rule.

Having said that we are entering that stage of an emergency where scarcity of the primary protective device is occurring.  A number of academic clinical centers are running into the same issues and are doing some testing of methodologies for possible reuse of n-95 particle respirators.  The attached is one such report on methodology for disinfection of the masks for possible reuse. Note that gas or vapor is needed to assure complete penetration of the filtrate substrate where infectious particulates may adhere.  Work is currently being done by some of the regional academic bio research facilities on this and protocols being developed demonstrating the process and testing using indicator strips of the disinfection.   I suggest caution on applying considerations for non-viable particulates to the current situation for N-95s or other respiratory protective equipment. 

Larry

Lawrence M. Gibbs, CIH, FAIHA

Associate Vice Provost Emeritus

Stanford University

lgibbs**At_Symbol_Here**stanford.edu

(c) 650-387-1131

All

What do you say to a healthcare provider (assume they are in your core family) who has been told to ration N95 masks. Told to reuse them.

Healthcare provider wants to know about sanitizing them; about effectiveness; about building their own mask.

FYI, here is some NIH published data:

Reduction to exposure by virus-like particulates. Based on article published by NIH

Mask Type                                          % reduction of particulates

N95                                                                 99

SURGICAL MASK                                        74

HOMEMADE TEA CLOTH MASK             58

Also, the Elan Musk companies delivered 50,000 N95 masks to a hospital today.

nl

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