If cotton masks, consider overnight in a chamber infused with chlorine dioxide ClO2(g).

Joe

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Handling/washing Masks-VIral Particles or Aerosols after wearing?
From: "Jeffrey Lewin" <jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU>
Date: Wed, July 8, 2020 3:59 pm
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Wed, July 8, 2020 3:59 pm, Jeffrey Lewin wrote:
> Have considered adding a 1% bleach solution to the collection bin?
> https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195670120300463?via%3Dihub
> shows
> a 10 minute contact time for inactivation.
>
> My bigger concern would be if the washer was also used for washing lab
> coats that you assure no chemical cross contamination from load to load.
>
> Jeff
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 8, 2020 at 3:10 PM Margaret Rakas <mrakas**At_Symbol_Here**smith.edu> wrote:
>
>> Please excuse the cross-posting-
>>
>> We are considering purchasing 3 ply, 100% cotton masks for students in
>> organic lab to wear (rather than the surgical masks made from synthetic
>> fibers which are not the best choice around flammable solvents). These
>> masks would be worn only in the lab, so that their own masks (worn TO and
>> FROM lab) wouldn't be potentially contaminated.
>>
>> These lab masks would be used for CDC/state guidance & requirements for
>> face coverings as infection mitigation during the COVID-19 pandemic. They
>> are NOT for protection against chemical splashes, vapors, etc.
>>
>> Students entering the lab would wear their own masks, then quickly put on
>> their 'lab mask' which would be clean and placed at their station in a
>> small plastic bag (which would hold their own mask during class), doing
>> their work, then at the end of the day placing the mask in a bin after
>> replacing their own mask. Final step for students would be handwashing
>> before leaving the lab.
>>
>> We have a washer in the same building, and the idea would be to have a
>> faculty or staff member launder the masks. There is concern if they were
>> handled/laundered immediately at the end of class there would be infectious
>> viral particles on the masks which could infect the handler. Instead,
>> masks in the bin would be washed in the nearby washer the next day. If the
>> person doing the laundry was wearing gloves, a labcoat and a 3-ply mask,
>> are there any thoughts regarding whether handling the masks might produce
>> viral aerosols?
>>
>> I only know of one article regarding viability of COVID-19 on surfaces and
>> it doesn't address clothing...
>>
>> MANY thanks,
>> Margaret
>>
>>
>> --
>> Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
>> Lab Safety & Compliance Director
>> Clark Science Center
>> 413-585-3877 (p)
>>
>> --- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the
>> Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter
>> **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas
>
>
>
> --
> Jeff Lewin
> Director of Chemical Laboratory Operations
> Research Integrity Office
> Laboratory Operations
> 205 Lakeshore Center
> Michigan Technological University
>
> ---
> For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
> Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas
>


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