From: Monona Rossol <0000030664c37427-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [EXT]Re: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 16:45:33 +0000
Reply-To: Monona Rossol <actsnyc**At_Symbol_Here**CS.COM>
Message-ID: 192261933.2558591.1585241133151**At_Symbol_Here**mail.yahoo.com
In-Reply-To


Then the issue will be the resistance of the new shrunk fabric to air flow.  Too dense a fabric with high resistance increases breathing stress.  It also forces air to go around the mask instead of through it unless it is perfectly fit to the face and sealed.  The right material for the NIOSH approved filters is the result of a delicate balance of factors.  

All these experiments are interesting and intriguing.   But think about who the new products are "tested" on.  HCW fighting a pandemic should never also be lab rats. Instead, spend time networking with others on strategies to compel government to provide immediate funds to industry and time-limited orders (e.g., through the War Powers Act) to make face shields to extend the respirator life and to make many more N95s and ventilators. This old lady lived through WWII we all saw the awesome way industry switched completely over to making what was needed--not volunteering a percentage of their output. And the manufacturers thrived.

Our governor in NY just announced the hospitals have secured enough N95s for the next week and a half. And we don't have enough ventilators.    Let's make the right stuff to protect properly the incredible people who are risking their lives for us.

And what is occurring here in NY will be in your future.  Let's get this set up right before it gets to you.

Monona

  


-----Original Message-----
From: Yaritza Brinker <YBrinker**At_Symbol_Here**FELE.COM>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Sent: Thu, Mar 26, 2020 10:04 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [EXT]Re: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question

This is a felt fabric made from what is basically heat-shrink electrical tubbing polymer (30% shrink) used primarily as hat forms and exotic-looking costumes.
 
If not fully shrunk when initially formed and if it were warmed again (sanitizing), it will continue to shrink down to 70% its original size.
 
Interesting idea for creating mask forms. However, it would likely be as effective as a home-sewn felt mask.
 
Thank you,
 
Yaritza Brinker
260.827.5402
 
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Beamer, Paloma - (pbeamer)
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 9:57 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [EXT]Re: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question
 
** External Email **
I absolutely understand the concerns regarding homemade masks, but I keep hearing from doctors on the frontlines who are desperate and have nothing to use.
 
A NY costume designer has suggested this thermoplastic material (FOSSHAPE). When steamed (not ironed) it makes a flexible neoprene like material.
 
Any thoughts?
 
Thanks,
 
Paloma 


On Mar 24, 2020, at 5:39 AM, Bruce Van Scoy <bvanscoy**At_Symbol_Here**TWC.COM> wrote:
 
External Email
Irradiation makes some materials brittle.
Bruce Van Scoy
 
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Rupkey, Steve
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 4:44 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question
 
Hello:
 
Has anyone considered irradiation of the N-95 respirators, using commercial food irradiation equipment?
 
I know a plan must be developed to collect, store, transport, etc. the respirators, but any thoughts on the concept?
 
Thanks,
Steve Rupkey
 
 
 
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> on behalf of Michael <mabuczynski**At_Symbol_Here**HOTMAIL.COM>
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <
DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Date: Monday, March 23, 2020 at 3:32 PM
To: "
DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU" <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question
 
The N-95 is classified as a "Single use disposable respirator" These were not meant to be reused and OSHA  requires a form to filled out that the user understands the limitations and knows how to don and doff the unit under normal circumstances.
 
The problem with any respirator including reusable types is the decontamination and storage after use/cleaning.  As a former OSHA Industrial Hygienist, I often enforced the respiratory standard with all of these requirements.
 
Now I know there is a current emergency and of course everyone is looking for an interim solution to extend life. To develop a procedure to decontaminate the N-95 you must be aware of not destroying the integrity( bleach???). We do know that the 91% isopropanol works without destroying the material. Then you must look at the way you are handling the used respirators as not to spread further contamination.  Next step is the storage before the next use (new baggie!)
 
It may be helpful to contact NIOSH and/or the manufacturer (3M for example) and ask them for their recommendations.  I would expect given the recent emergency/need vs shortage they are working on a possible solution.
 
Mike Buczynski
 
 
 
 
 

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> on behalf of Monique Wilhelm <mwilhelm**At_Symbol_Here**UMICH.EDU>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 2:08 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question
 
A friend who is a surgical nurse has explained to me that they are
using the cloth masks to cover their N-95s so that they can remove the
cover mask and replace if there is a noticeable splatter incident,
thereby making the N-95 masks effective for a longer period.  They are
then reusing the N-95 without specific instruction for storage....she
asked me how to store.  I have no answer.

 Monique

_________________________________________________________

Monique Wilhelm, M.S., NRCC Certified CHO

ACS CHAS Secretary|2017 CERM E. Ann Nalley Award Recipient

Laboratory Manager|Adjunct Lecturer|Chemistry Club Advisor

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry|University of Michigan-Flint

Emaill: mwilhelm**At_Symbol_Here**umich.edu




 Monique

_________________________________________________________

Monique Wilhelm, M.S., NRCC Certified CHO

ACS CHAS Secretary|2017 CERM E. Ann Nalley Award Recipient

Laboratory Manager|Adjunct Lecturer|Chemistry Club Advisor

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry|University of Michigan-Flint

Emaill: mwilhelm**At_Symbol_Here**umich.edu






On Mon, Mar 23, 2020 at 3:03 PM Lawrence M Gibbs <lgibbs**At_Symbol_Here**stanford.edu> wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
>
> From: Lawrence M Gibbs
> Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 11:04 AM
> To: neal**At_Symbol_Here**CHEMICAL-SAFETY.COM; DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
> Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of NEAL LANGERMAN
> Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 10:23 AM
> To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
> Subject: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Safety is the practice of fixed and unbendable principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times. Paraphrase of Everett Dirksen.
>
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>
> ACSafety has a new address:
>
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>
> ADVANCED CHEMICAL SAFETY, Inc.
>
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