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Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of influenza-contaminated N95 filtering facepiece respirators

tetano

Editor, Senior Moderator
Am J Infect Control. 2018 Apr 17. pii: S0196-6553(18)30140-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.02.018. [Epub ahead of print]
[h=1]Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of influenza-contaminated N95 filtering facepiece respirators.[/h] Mills D[SUP]1[/SUP], Harnish DA[SUP]2[/SUP], Lawrence C[SUP]1[/SUP], Sandoval-Powers M[SUP]1[/SUP], Heimbuch BK[SUP]1[/SUP].
[h=3]Author information[/h]

[h=3]Abstract[/h] [h=4]BACKGROUND:[/h] Safe and effective decontamination and reuse of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) has the potential to significantly extend FFR holdings, mitigating a potential shortage due to an influenza pandemic or other pandemic events. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) has been shown to be effective for decontaminating influenza-contaminated FFRs. This study aims to build on past research by evaluating the UVGI decontamination efficiency of influenza-contaminated FFRs in the presence of soiling agents using an optimized UVGI dose.
[h=4]METHODS:[/h] Twelve samples each of 15 N95 FFR models were contaminated with H1N1 influenza (facepiece and strap), then covered with a soiling agent-artificial saliva or artificial skin oil. For each soiling agent, 3 contaminated FFRs were treated with 1 J/cm[SUP]2[/SUP] UVGI for approximately 1 minute, whereas 3 other contaminated FFRs remained untreated. All contaminated surfaces were cut out and virus extracted. Viable influenza was quantified using a median tissue culture infectious dose assay.
[h=4]RESULTS:[/h] Significant reductions (≥3 log) in influenza viability for both soiling conditions were observed on facepieces from 12 of 15 FFR models and straps from 7 of 15 FFR models.
[h=4]CONCLUSIONS:[/h] These data suggest that FFR decontamination and reuse using UVGI can be effective. Implementation of a UVGI method will require careful consideration of FFR model, material type, and design.
Copyright ? 2018 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. All rights reserved.


[h=4]KEYWORDS:[/h] Decontamination; Disinfection; Reuse; Soiling; UVGI; Ultraviolet

PMID: 29678452 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.02.018
 
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