disposable N-95 particulate respirator (Teknol, TB mask)

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Indications

Procedure

  • sanitization for re-use
    • exposure to vaporized hydrogen peroxide or ultraviolet (UV) light appears to eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 virus & preserve integrity of the masks' fit for up to 3 uses[4]
    • dry heat (70 C) also eliminates the virus on masks but is effective for 2 uses rather than 3[4]
    • respirators should be stored in a breathable paper bag for at least 5 days between uses & should be limited to a maximum of five wears[12]
    • steam may sterilize N95 respirators without compromise in fit for up to 3 cycles[5]
    • irradiating N95 masks with gamma radiation reduces their ability to filter air particles without affecting 'fit test'[6]
    • steam generated using glass containers, mesh from produce bags, a rubber band, & a microwave useful for 20 decontamination cycles[8]
      • metal in N-95 mask does not spark microwave
      • fit & function maintained[8]
    • ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, moist heat, & microwave-generated steam processing are effective for decontamination & are simple to implement[14]

Notes

  • N95 means it filters out > 95% of 0.3 uM particles, thus airborne pathogens
  • commonly available from medical supply outlets & pharmacies
    • look for package rated 'N95'
  • while N95 masks appear superior to surgical masks in laboratory settings, data is insufficient to conclude that they offer any better protection against respiratory infection in clinical settings[2]
  • healthcare workers exposed to patients with Covid-19 have less chance of infection with Covid-19 if wearing an N95/KN95 mask vs a surgical mask (21% vs 35%)[17]
  • no better than surgical masks in preventing influenza infection in clinical setting[3]
  • duckbill N95 masks with high rate of fit test failure (71%) among healthcare workers who were using their masks for extended periods[7]
  • dome-shaped N95 masks with 28% failure rate; failure more likely with increasing duration of use[7]
  • expired or reused sterilized N95 masks can filter out aerosolized particles[10]
  • when reused for > 2 days, nearly half of N95 masks fail[11]
  • N95 makes can be safely re-sterilized with a standard decontamination approach involving vaporized hydrogen peroxide & still maintain their effectiveness for up to 25 cycles of re-use[16]

* Fake 95 masks have flooded the market; here is how to tell the difference[13]

* NIOSH* describes 7 signs N95 masks may be fake[15]

* NIOSH = CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)

More general terms

References

  1. Prescriber's Letter 10(5):25 2003
  2. 2.0 2.1 Smith JD, MacDougall CC, Johnstone J et al Effectiveness of N95 respirators versus surgical masks in protecting health care workers from acute respiratory infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. CMAJ. March 7, 2016 <PubMed> PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26952529 <Internet> http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2016/03/02/cmaj.150835.full.pdf+html
  3. 3.0 3.1 Radonovich LJ Jr, Simberkoff MS, Bessesen MT et al. N95 respirators vs medical masks for preventing influenza among health care personnel: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2019 Sep 3; 322:824. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31479137 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2749214
    Talbot TR, Babcock HM. Respiratory protection of health care personnel to prevent respiratory viral transmission. JAMA 2019 Sep 3; 322:817. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31479123 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2749198
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Frellick M How to Sanitize N95 Masks for Reuse: NIH Study. Medscape - Apr 17, 2020. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/928877
  5. 5.0 5.1 Phend C Steam Clean Checks Out for N95 Sterilization - Small study affirmed efficacy, fit test through three rounds. MedPage Today April 22, 2020 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/86086
    Carrillo I, Floyd A, Valverde C et al Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS) Sterilizes N95 Masks Without Mask Damage. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. April 2020. pg 1-5 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32299520 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/immediate-use-steam-sterilization-iuss-sterilizes-n95-masks-without-mask-damage/4BDC5CF0BBC9CFB44C0E837B3B37CC83
  6. 6.0 6.1 Cramer A, Tian E, Galanek M et al Assessment of the Qualitative Fit Test and Quantitative Single-Pass Filtration Efficiency of Disposable N95 Masks Following Gamma Irradiation. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(5):e209961. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32453381 Free article https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2766200
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Degesys NF, Wang RC, Kwan E et al Correlation Between N95 Extended Use and Reuse and Fit Failure in an Emergency Department. JAMA. Published online June 3, 2020 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32496504 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2766940
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Zulauf KE, Green AB, Nguyen Ba AN et al Microwave-Generated Steam Decontamination of N95 Respirators Utilizing Universally Accessible Materials. mBio Jun 2020, 11 (3) e00997-20 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32587063 https://mbio.asm.org/content/11/3/e00997-20
  9. Su-Velez BM, Maxim T, Long JL et al Decontamination Methods for Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online July 2, 2020 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32614377 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2767783
  10. 10.0 10.1 Sickbert-Bennett EE et al. Filtration efficiency of hospital face mask alternatives available for use during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Intern Med 2020 Aug 11; [e-pub]. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32780113 PMCID: PMC7420816 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2769443
    Dugdale CM, Walensky RP. Filtration efficiency, effectiveness, and availability of N95 face masks for COVID-19 prevention. JAMA Intern Med 2020 Aug 11; [e-pub] PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32780097 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2769441
  11. 11.0 11.1 Hein C Don't Use N95 Masks for More Than 2 Days, Research Suggests. Medscape - Nov 02, 2020. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/940168
  12. 12.0 12.1 FDA News Release. Nov 25, 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Issues New Policy on Dry Heat for Reuse of Certain Respirators. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-issues-new-policy-dry-heat-reuse-certain-respirators
  13. 13.0 13.1 Morava M, Andrew S Fake N95 masks have flooded the market. Here's how to tell the difference. CNN News. February 6, 2021 https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/05/us/counterfeit-masks-how-to-spot-trnd/index.html
    Example of https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/images/mask-illustrationMisRep.jpg
  14. 14.0 14.1 Schumm MA, Hadaya JE, Mody N et al Filtering Facepiece Respirator (N95 Respirator) Reprocessing. A Systematic Review. JAMA. Published online March 3, 2021 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33656543 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777342
  15. 15.0 15.1 O'Reilly KB 7 signs those new N95s at your physician practice might be fake. JAMA Public Health. March 1, 2021 https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/7-signs-those-new-n95s-your-physician-practice-might-be-fake
  16. 16.0 16.1 Reuters Staff Researchers Plan for Reusing N95 Respirator Masks. Medscape. Jan 13, 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/966508
  17. 17.0 17.1 Hein I Healthcare Workers Who Wear Better Masks Get Less COVID. Observational study affirms better odds of dodging infection by wearing a respirator mask. MedPage Today August 15, 2022 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/100227
    Dorr T, Haller S, Muller MF et al Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Acquisition in Health Care Workers According to Cumulative Patient Exposure and Preferred Mask Type. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8):e2226816. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35969403 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2795150