Please excuse the cross-posting-
We are considering purchasing 3 ply, 100% cotton masks for students in organic lab to wear (rather than the surgical masks made from synthetic fibers which are not the best choice around flammable solvents). These masks would be worn only in the lab, so that their own masks (worn TO and FROM lab) wouldn't be potentially contaminated.
These lab masks would be used for CDC/state guidance & requirements for face coverings as infection mitigation during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are NOT for protection against chemical splashes, vapors, etc.
Students entering the lab would wear their own masks, then quickly put on their 'lab mask' which would be clean and placed at their station in a small plastic bag (which would hold their own mask during class), doing their work, then at the end of the day placing the mask in a bin after replacing their own mask. Final step for students would be handwashing before leaving the lab.
We have a washer in the same building, and the idea would be to have a faculty or staff member launder the masks. There is concern if they were handled/laundered immediately at the end of class there would be infectious viral particles on the masks which could infect the handler. Instead, masks in the bin would be washed in the nearby washer the next day. If the person doing the laundry was wearing gloves, a labcoat and a 3-ply mask, are there any thoughts regarding whether handling the masks might produce viral aerosols?
I only know of one article regarding viability of COVID-19 on surfaces and it doesn't address clothing...
MANY thanks,
Margaret
