Disinfection Treatments of Disposable Respirators Influencing the Bactericidal/Bacteria Removal Efficiency, Filtration Performance, and Structural Integrity.

Seojin Jung,Tahmineh Hemmatian,Jehyung Yi,Kyeongeun Lee,Eugene Song,Jooyoun Kim,Dongwan Seo

doi:10.3390/polym13010045

Seojin Jung, Tahmineh Hemmatian + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13010045

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Abstract

In the outbreak of COVID-19, the extended wear of single-use, disposable respirators was inevitable due to limited supplies. As a respirator is front-line protection against particulate matter, including bioaerosol and droplets, a comprehensive understanding for the reuse strategy is needed. In this study, eight different disinfection methods commonly applied for the reuse of respirators were compared for their influence on the filtration and bactericidal/bacteria removal performance, with in-depth discussion on the cause of effects. Treatments including oven-dry, ultraviolet irradiation (UV), microwaving, laundering with and without detergent, and immersion in hypochlorite, isopropanol, and ethanol were performed to respirators. Immersion in ethanol or isopropanol was effective for inactivation and removal of bacteria, yet such a treatment significantly deteriorated the filtration efficiency in about 20–28%, dissipating the surface charges. Laundering, while effective in removing the attached bacteria, triggered physical damage, leading to a possible reduction of filtration performance. A short-term oven-dry, UV irradiation, and microwaving mostly preserved the filtration performance, yet the drawback lied in the incomplete bactericidal efficiency. This study would contribute to the public health and safety by providing scientific background on the effect of disinfection treatment methods for respirators.

Highlights

The demand for face filtering respirators has grown continuously to cope with various environmental hazards including fine dust, liquid mist, bioaerosol, and droplets
The prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a worldwide shortage of respirators, and this situation resulted in the undiscerning reuse of disposable respirators, most users are not informed of proper methods of respirator maintenance
This study aims at divulging the effects of disinfection treatments on inactivation/removal of bacteria, deterioration of filtration performance and structural integrity

Summary

Introduction

The demand for face filtering respirators has grown continuously to cope with various environmental hazards including fine dust, liquid mist, bioaerosol, and droplets. Since pathogens can be transmitted via bioaerosol or droplets generated by coughing or sneezing, the use of respirators is an everyday necessity as the front-line safety tool to protect both the wearer and others from the exposure to such infectious matters [1,2]. The prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a worldwide shortage of respirators, and this situation resulted in the undiscerning reuse of disposable respirators, most users are not informed of proper methods of respirator maintenance. It is imperative to investigate the validity and effectiveness of disinfection methods for disposable respirators

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