Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2021;13(2):35-46.
doi: 10.1007/s40506-021-00247-8. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

A Practical Approach to Filtering Facepiece Respirator Decontamination and Reuse: Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation

Mark P Ridder  1 , Katie D Paladino  2 , John J Lowe  3 , Mark E Rupp  1
Affiliations
Review

A Practical Approach to Filtering Facepiece Respirator Decontamination and Reuse: Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation

Mark P Ridder et al. Curr Treat Options Infect Dis. 2021.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Prior outbreaks of respiratory viruses have demonstrated the need for adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, particularly filtering facepiece respirators (FFR). Due to shortfalls of PPE during the SARS CoV-2 pandemic, the need for FFR decontamination and reuse (FFR-DR) strategies is paramount. This paper aims to discuss primary decontamination strategies, with an in-depth analysis of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), arriving at the decontamination strategy utilized at the Nebraska Medical Center (NMC).

Methods: Review of the primary literature in regard to FFR-DR as well as a synopsis of the current protocol for FFR-DR at NMC.

Recent findings: UVGI demonstrates effective decontamination of multiple pathogens-including several human respiratory viruses-while maintaining mask integrity and filtering capacity. UVGI was associated with degradation of strap integrity at higher doses than that utilized for decontamination or with reuse beyond 20 times.

Summary: UVGI effectively decontaminates N95 FFRs without significant reduction to fit or strap integrity and can be employed as a strategy for FFR-DR in times of emergency.

Keywords: Decontamination and reuse; Filtering facepiece respirator; Microwave-generated steam; Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation; Vaporized hydrogen peroxide; Warm moist heat.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestMark P. Ridder, Katie D. Paladino, John J. Lowe, and Mark E. Rupp declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
UVGI lights and hanging lines for N95 FFRs. The walls and ceiling have been painted with UVGI reflective paint to better ensure that all surfaces of the N95 FFRs are exposed to UVGI.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
    1. Bartoszko JJ, Farooqi MAM, Alhazzani W, Loeb M. Medical masks vs N95 respirators for preventing COVID-19 in healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2020;14(4):365–373. doi: 10.1111/irv.12745. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. • Mills D, Harnish DA, Lawrence C, Sandoval-Powers M, Heimbuch BK. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of influenza-contaminated N95 filtering facepiece respirators. Am J Infect Control. 2018;46(7):e49–55. 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.02.018. Comprehensive testing of effectiveness of UVGI decontamination of 15 N95 FFR models when contaminated with influenza and soiling agent. - PMC - PubMed
    1. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Implementing filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) reuse, including reuse after decontamination, when there are known shortages of N95 respirators. 2020; Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/decontaminati.... Accessed 11/10, 2020. CDC strategy for optimizing supply of N95 FFRs in crisis situations.
    1. Kapust PJ. Enforcement guidance for respiratory protection and the N95 shortage due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic 2020; Available at: https://www.osha.gov/memos/2020-04-03/enforcement-guidance-respiratory-p.... Accessed 11/10, 2020.
    1. Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) information, and list of all current EUAs. 2020; Available at: https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regula.... Accessed 11/10, 2020.

LinkOut - more resources