Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators in the COVID-19 Era

Joren Van Loon,Stijn Verwulgen,Jouke C Verlinden,Regan Watts,Els Du Bois,Sander Van Goethem,Lore Veelaert

doi:10.3390/su13020797

Joren Van Loon, Stijn Verwulgen + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020797

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Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an immense and unforeseen increase in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers worldwide. Amongst other products, respirator masks are crucial to protect the users against transmission of the virus. Decontamination and reuse of the existing stock could be a solution to the shortage of new respirators. Based upon existing studies, it was found that (I) a solid quality control method is essential to test product reuse, (II) in-depth evaluation of the different parts of the filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) should be considered, and (III) communication of the reuse cycle is essential to take track of the amount of reuse, as this is limited to ensure quality. The goal of this paper is two-fold. First, we identify the impact of decontamination on the different parts of the FFRs and how the quality control should be performed. Two different types of FFRs are analysed within this paper, resulting in the recommendation of combining quantitative respirator mask fit testing with a thorough sensory evaluation of decontaminated FFRs to qualify them for reuse. Secondly, the possibilities of communication of this reuse to the eventual user are mapped through in-depth reasoning.

Highlights

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of personal protection precautions are employed to form a barrier against exchange of body fluids between patients and healthcare workers and as anti-viral respiratory protection for the healthcare workers
In contrast to other medical products, masks are fit for reuse in professional healthcare institutions after sterilisation according to well-known agencies such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) [3] and The National Institute for Occupational
A third valuable option is the use of Ethylene Oxide (EtO), but this technique is linked to concerns about the health of the users

Summary

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of personal protection precautions are employed to form a barrier against exchange of body fluids between patients and healthcare workers and as anti-viral respiratory protection for the healthcare workers (through filtration). One of these precautions is the use of masks, which, despite their reported discomfort such as itching [1], are currently seen as an indispensable part of the equipment of healthcare workers. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, a worldwide scarcity is occurring, for both surgical face masks and for filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), endangering healthcare workers [2].

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