From: Margaret Rakas <mrakas**At_Symbol_Here**SMITH.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Handling/washing Masks-VIral Particles or Aerosols after wearing?
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 2020 18:01:52 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: CAAszpkxoVFJh0-jWj-1E9fQoKb4mqw_YF3DPBYmKghFh-iBObQ**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To


Jeff--nice idea for bleach! No, we would not wash lab coats together..

many thanks to everyone for their helpful responses-
Margaret

On Wed, Jul 8, 2020 at 4:34 PM Jeffrey Lewin <jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**mtu.edu> wrote:
Have considered adding a 1% bleach solution to the collection bin? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195670120300463?via%3Dihub shows a 10 minute contact time for inactivation.

My bigger concern would be if the washer was also used for washing lab coats that you assure no chemical cross contamination from load to load.

Jeff



On Wed, Jul 8, 2020 at 3:10 PM Margaret Rakas <mrakas**At_Symbol_Here**smith..edu> wrote:
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


--
Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Lab Safety & Compliance Director
Clark Science Center
413-585-3877 (p)

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas


--
Jeff Lewin
Director of Chemical Laboratory Operations
Research Integrity Office
Laboratory Operations
205 Lakeshore Center
Michigan Technological University

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas


--
Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Lab Safety & Compliance Director
Clark Science Center
413-585-3877 (p)

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

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