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HEPA wouldn’t kill it, just hold it. On the other hand, a silane quat impregnated HEPA filter would likely kill everything that passed through it, and afaik ha
by madaxe_again 6y ago
HEPA wouldn’t kill it, just hold it.
On the other hand, a silane quat impregnated HEPA filter would likely kill everything that passed through it, and afaik has no substantial toxicity issues.
- watertom 6y agoUV light in conjunction with a Hepa filter would be very effective.
- mschuster91 6y agoHEPA filters are made out of fiberglass, which is vulnerable to UV degradation.
- rightbyte 6y agoYou don't have to aim the light at the filter.
- LMYahooTFY 6y agoI interpreted the quotation marks as implying that it's functionally killing the virus unless you somehow blow it off the filter.
- cableshaft 6y agoWell it just needs to hold it until it's inactive, right? The virus doesn't seem to stay active on surfaces more than about 3 days at room temperature, so it just needs to hold it for that long. That's something I never really got about mask reuse either. People kept saying these masks aren't reusable unless they use UV light treatment or something, and it just seemed like if it's considered safe to touch mail after letting it sit in the garage for a few days after getting it, then shouldn't you just have to let masks sit for a few days for them to be usable again (hell, wait two weeks, even). I'm sure there's good reasons for it, just haven't seen it. I imagine some masks are considered one time use because they degrade enough after that use that they might not protect as well, but then why are people trying so hard to find methods to make them reusable that seem to mainly just involve disinfecting them?
- zenexer 6y ago> People kept saying these masks aren't reusable unless they use UV light treatment or something Because SARS-CoV-2 isn’t the only pathogen out there, and a decent mask is basically a magnet for everything tiny that can harm you.
- noelsusman 6y agoThat's already recommended practice. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/decontamination-reuse-respirators.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/d... > One strategy to mitigate the contact transfer of pathogens from the FFR to the wearer during reuse is to issue five respirators to each healthcare worker who may care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The healthcare worker will wear one respirator each day and store it in a breathable paper bag at the end of each shift. The order of FFR use should be repeated with a minimum of five days between each FFR use. Disinfecting is required when supply is so constrained that issuing five respirators to every worker plus replacements isn't possible. You can disinfect a mask in minutes and get it back on the floor. Also, letting a mask sit will get rid of most viruses, including COVID-19, but it won't get rid of other pathogens (e.g. bacteria).
- cableshaft 6y agoOh, good. This is the first time I've seen this. I'm glad this is considered a possible method. Seems like one and done for so many masks is so wasteful if not absolutely necessary.
- sizzle 6y agoHow long does bacteria last?!
- hatsunearu 6y agoEssentially indefinitely if conditions are right. If it starts making spores, it can stay ready-to-infect for like a few thousand years.