On Mar 24, 2020, at 5:39 AM, Bruce Van Scoy <bvanscoy**At_Symbol_Here**TWC.COM> wrote:

 

External Email

Irradiation makes some materials brittle.

Bruce Van Scoy

 

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Rupkey, Steve
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 4:44 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question

 

Hello:

 

Has anyone considered irradiation of the N-95 respirators, using commercial food irradiation equipment?

 

I know a plan must be developed to collect, store, transport, etc. the respirators, but any thoughts on the concept?

 

Thanks,

Steve Rupkey

 

 

 

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> on behalf of Michael <mabuczynski**At_Symbol_Here**HOTMAIL.COM>
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Date: Monday, March 23, 2020 at 3:32 PM
To: "DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU" <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question

 

The N-95 is classified as a "Single use disposable respirator" These were not meant to be reused and OSHA  requires a form to filled out that the user understands the limitations and knows how to don and doff the unit under normal circumstances.

 

The problem with any respirator including reusable types is the decontamination and storage after use/cleaning.  As a former OSHA Industrial Hygienist, I often enforced the respiratory standard with all of these requirements.

 

Now I know there is a current emergency and of course everyone is looking for an interim solution to extend life. To develop a procedure to decontaminate the N-95 you must be aware of not destroying the integrity( bleach???). We do know that the 91% isopropanol works without destroying the material. Then you must look at the way you are handling the used respirators as not to spread further contamination.  Next step is the storage before the next use (new baggie!)

 

It may be helpful to contact NIOSH and/or the manufacturer (3M for example) and ask them for their recommendations.  I would expect given the recent emergency/need vs shortage they are working on a possible solution.

 

Mike Buczynski

 

 

 

 

 

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From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> on behalf of Monique Wilhelm <mwilhelm**At_Symbol_Here**UMICH.EDU>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 2:08 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question

 

A friend who is a surgical nurse has explained to me that they are
using the cloth masks to cover their N-95s so that they can remove the
cover mask and replace if there is a noticeable splatter incident,
thereby making the N-95 masks effective for a longer period.  They are
then reusing the N-95 without specific instruction for storage....she
asked me how to store.  I have no answer.

 Monique

_________________________________________________________

Monique Wilhelm, M.S., NRCC Certified CHO

ACS CHAS Secretary|2017 CERM E. Ann Nalley Award Recipient

Laboratory Manager|Adjunct Lecturer|Chemistry Club Advisor

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry|University of Michigan-Flint

Emaill: mwilhelm**At_Symbol_Here**umich.edu




 Monique

_________________________________________________________

Monique Wilhelm, M.S., NRCC Certified CHO

ACS CHAS Secretary|2017 CERM E. Ann Nalley Award Recipient

Laboratory Manager|Adjunct Lecturer|Chemistry Club Advisor

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry|University of Michigan-Flint

Emaill: mwilhelm**At_Symbol_Here**umich.edu






On Mon, Mar 23, 2020 at 3:03 PM Lawrence M Gibbs <lgibbs**At_Symbol_Here**stanford.edu> wrote:
>
> Hi Tried sending this with document attached but was rejected by site.  So am placing a link here that I hope will get one to the site of the same document: Final Report for the Bioquell Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV) Decontamination for Reuse of N95 Respirators
>
> http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170113034232/http://www.fda.gov/downloads/EmergencyPreparedness/Counterterrorism/MedicalCountermeasures/MCMRegulatoryScience/UCM516998.pdf
>
>
>
> From: Lawrence M Gibbs
> Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 11:04 AM
> To: neal**At_Symbol_Here**CHEMICAL-SAFETY.COM; DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
> Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question
>
>
>
> Neal et al,
>
>
>
> Keep in mind particulate filtering respirators were developed primarily for inert particulate matter (wood dust, silica, etc.).   When used in a clinical setting, the particulate matter is no longer inert, but potentially can replicate and infect individuals upon exposure (uptake).  For this reason, reuse of an N-95 is not typically recommended for use in biohazard protection, as a general rule.
>
>
>
> Having said that we are entering that stage of an emergency where scarcity of the primary protective device is occurring.  A number of academic clinical centers are running into the same issues and are doing some testing of methodologies for possible reuse of n-95 particle respirators.  The attached is one such report on methodology for disinfection of the masks for possible reuse. Note that gas or vapor is needed to assure complete penetration of the filtrate substrate where infectious particulates may adhere.  Work is currently being done by some of the regional academic bio research facilities on this and protocols being developed demonstrating the process and testing using indicator strips of the disinfection.   I suggest caution on applying considerations for non-viable particulates to the current situation for N-95s or other respiratory protective equipment.
>
>
>
> Larry
>
>
>
> Lawrence M. Gibbs, CIH, FAIHA
>
> Associate Vice Provost Emeritus
>
> Stanford University
>
> lgibbs**At_Symbol_Here**stanford.edu
>
> (c) 650-387-1131
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of NEAL LANGERMAN
> Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 10:23 AM
> To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
> Subject: [DCHAS-L] COVID-19 Question
>
>
>
> All
>
> What do you say to a healthcare provider (assume they are in your core family) who has been told to ration N95 masks. Told to reuse them.
>
> Healthcare provider wants to know about sanitizing them; about effectiveness; about building their own mask.
>
> FYI, here is some NIH published data:
>
>
>
> Reduction to exposure by virus-like particulates. Based on article published by NIH
>
> Mask Type                                          % reduction of particulates
>
> N95                                                                 99
>
> SURGICAL MASK                                        74
>
> HOMEMADE TEA CLOTH MASK             58
>
>
>
> Also, the Elan Musk companies delivered 50,000 N95 masks to a hospital today.
>
>
>
> nl
>
>
>
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