6 ms·
Reusability of Facemasks During an Influenza Pandemic: Facing the Flu (2006): https://www.nap.edu/read/11637/chapter/6#59 https://www.nap.edu/read/11637/chapter
by 3JPLW 7y ago
Reusability of Facemasks During an Influenza Pandemic: Facing the Flu (2006): https://www.nap.edu/read/11637/chapter/6#59 https://www.nap.edu/read/11637/chapter/6#59
* Finding 1: The committee could not identify or find any simple modifications to the manufacturing process that would permit disposable N95 respirators to be reused without increasing the likelihood of infection.
* Finding 2: Any method of decontaminating a disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirator must remove the viral threat, be harmless to the user, and not compromise the integrity of the various elements of the respirator. The committee found no method of decontamination that met all three criteria.
* Finding 3: The committee found no simple modifications to currently existing N95 filtering facepiece respirators that would obviate the need for fit-testing.
* Finding 4: Many versions of reusable (elastomeric) respirators on the market have facepieces that can be cleaned and reused. Some of these are available in full-facepiece versions that also offer eye protection and may prevent conjunctival transmission. These respirators can be reused by single or multiple wearers and, although they are more expensive than the disposable N95 respirators, should be considered as an alternative to filtering facepieces.
- ajross 7y agoWhat's frustrating with data like that is what it doesn't say: is it OK to keep using a mask?. Obviously what this is saying is that, once contaminated, a mask can't be cleaned and made safe. But in real use, at least at the infection density we see right now, they're not getting contaminated with use. They're just dirty. Is it safer to keep using the same mask for a week or to use it once then go maskless? We just don't know.
- hnrodey 7y ago>Is it safer to keep using the same mask for a week or to use it once then go maskless? We just don't know. This is a better way to phrase my question and more precisely what I'm trying to determine. tbh it sounds safer to re-use a mask (that may or may not be contaminated) that not use a mask at all especially in a crowded public space.
- 3JPLW 7y agoTo put a finer point on it — while reusing an old mask might prevent you from getting Covid19, it might also expose you to a bacteria or fungus that could _also_ lead to a pneumonia or other such lung diseases. You really don't want to be needing a ventilator for any reason in the next few weeks/months.
- r0m4n0 7y agoMy thoughts too. Can’t you use 3 masks and just cycle through them so that you only use each mask every 3 days? The virus itself can’t live on surfaces for long periods of time so if cleaning won’t remove the virus, time will?
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- cameldrv 7y agoThat was a 2006 study. Since then, there is a 2015 study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4699414/?fbclid=IwAR2Pg89XnnDFisa_DgIPehOD64M0_7jXKz7lczDb-qL83dBKVB5wD5_d7bo https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4699414/?fbclid...) that shows that masks can be decontaminated with ultraviolet light.
- pmoriarty 7y agoIt should be noted that these findings are for disposable N95 respirators. There are also non-disposable kinds, which are intended for reuse. However, it's not clear for how long they can be safely reused, particularly in the case of this novel coronavirus.