COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Decontamination and reuse processes for N95 respirators

doi:10.1177/1535370220925768

. 2020 Jun;245(11):933-939.

doi: 10.1177/1535370220925768. Epub 2020 May 12.

COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Decontamination and reuse processes for N95 respirators

Douglas J Perkins^{1

2}, Steven Villescas³, Terry H Wu⁴, Timothy Muller⁵, Steven Bradfute¹, Ivy Hurwitz¹, Qiuying Cheng¹, Hannah Wilcox⁶, Myissa Weiss⁶, Chris Bartlett⁷, Jens Langsjoen⁷, Phil Seidenberg^{2

8}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
² University of New Mexico-Kenya Programs, Kisumu and Siaya, 40100, Kenya.
³ Facilities Safety, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁴ Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine, Center for Infectious Disease and Immunity, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁵ Office of Research, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁶ School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁷ Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁸ Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.

PMID: 32397762
PMCID: PMC7235442
DOI: 10.1177/1535370220925768

COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Decontamination and reuse processes for N95 respirators

Douglas J Perkins et al. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2020 Jun.

. 2020 Jun;245(11):933-939.

doi: 10.1177/1535370220925768. Epub 2020 May 12.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Global Health, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
² University of New Mexico-Kenya Programs, Kisumu and Siaya, 40100, Kenya.
³ Facilities Safety, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁴ Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine, Center for Infectious Disease and Immunity, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁵ Office of Research, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁶ School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁷ Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
⁸ Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.

PMID: 32397762
PMCID: PMC7235442
DOI: 10.1177/1535370220925768

Abstract

There is a critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) around the globe. This article describes the safe collection, storage, and decontamination of N95 respirators using hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV). This article is unique because it describes the HPV process in an operating room, and is therefore, a deployable method for many healthcare settings. Results presented here offer creative solutions to the current PPE shortage.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; biological indicators; chemical indicators; filtering facepiece respirators; hydrogen peroxide vapor; personal protective equipment; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

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Figures

**Figure 1.**
FFR placement and spacing on processing rack.

**Figure 2.**
Configuration for HPV decontamination process in an operating room.

**Figure 3.**
Culture results from biological indicators (*Geobacillus stearothermophilus* spores) with control placed outside the room (left, yellow) and 10 BIs placed in the processing room during the HPV decontamination (right 1–10, purple).

**Figure 4.**
Marking of FFRs to indicate reprocessing cycles.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

1. CDC. Strategies for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirators-strategy/index.html?CD... (accessed 25 April 2020
1. Viscusi DB, Eimer BC, Shaffer RE. Evaluation of five decontamination methods for filtering facepiece respirators. Ann Occup Hyg 2009; 53:815–27 - PMC - PubMed
1. Bergman MV, Heimbuch BK, Wander JD, Sambol AR, Shaffe RE. Evaluation of multiple (3-cycle) decontamination processing for filtering facepiece respirators. J Eng Fibers Fabrics 2010; 5:33–41
1. Battelle Memorial Institute. Final report for the bioquell hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) decontamination for reuse of N95 respirators. USA: Battelle Memorial Institute, 2016. (Accessed Contract No. HHSF223201400098C. Study Number 3245, at https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-regulatory-s...)
1. Battelle Memorial Institute. Battelle CCDS critical care decontamination system. USA: Battelle Memorial Institute, 2020

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[1] CDC. Strategies for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirators-strategy/index.html?CD... (accessed 25 April 2020

[2] CDC. Strategies for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirators-strategy/index.html?CD... (accessed 25 April 2020

[3] Viscusi DB, Eimer BC, Shaffer RE. Evaluation of five decontamination methods for filtering facepiece respirators. Ann Occup Hyg 2009; 53:815–27 - PMC - PubMed

[4] Viscusi DB, Eimer BC, Shaffer RE. Evaluation of five decontamination methods for filtering facepiece respirators. Ann Occup Hyg 2009; 53:815–27 - PMC - PubMed

[5] Bergman MV, Heimbuch BK, Wander JD, Sambol AR, Shaffe RE. Evaluation of multiple (3-cycle) decontamination processing for filtering facepiece respirators. J Eng Fibers Fabrics 2010; 5:33–41

[6] Bergman MV, Heimbuch BK, Wander JD, Sambol AR, Shaffe RE. Evaluation of multiple (3-cycle) decontamination processing for filtering facepiece respirators. J Eng Fibers Fabrics 2010; 5:33–41

[7] Battelle Memorial Institute. Final report for the bioquell hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) decontamination for reuse of N95 respirators. USA: Battelle Memorial Institute, 2016. (Accessed Contract No. HHSF223201400098C. Study Number 3245, at https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-regulatory-s...)

[8] Battelle Memorial Institute. Final report for the bioquell hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) decontamination for reuse of N95 respirators. USA: Battelle Memorial Institute, 2016. (Accessed Contract No. HHSF223201400098C. Study Number 3245, at https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-regulatory-s...)

[9] Battelle Memorial Institute. Battelle CCDS critical care decontamination system. USA: Battelle Memorial Institute, 2020

[10] Battelle Memorial Institute. Battelle CCDS critical care decontamination system. USA: Battelle Memorial Institute, 2020

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COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Decontamination and reuse processes for N95 respirators

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COVID-19 global pandemic planning: Decontamination and reuse processes for N95 respirators

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