Researchers Combine Heat and Humidity to Disinfect N95 Masks For Reuse
4 years, 2 months ago

Researchers Combine Heat and Humidity to Disinfect N95 Masks For Reuse

News 18  

Healthcare workers, facing the shortage of protective equipment such as N95 masks, are left with no other option but to reuse their gear, thus increasing the risk of spreading coronavirus infection. However, there may be help on the way as researchers at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University and the University of Texas Medical Branch have found that gently heating N95 masks in high relative humidity could inactivate SARS-CoV-2 virus trapped within the masks, without degrading their performance. In the new study, Chu, along with the University of Texas Medical Branch virologist Scott Weaver and Stanford/SLAC professors Yi Cui and Wah Chiu focused their attention on a combination of heat and humidity to try to decontaminate masks. The sweet spot appeared to be 85 degrees Celsius with 100 per cent relative humidity the team could find no trace of SARS-CoV-2 after cooking the masks under those conditions. Weaver of UT Medical Branch said although the results are not especially surprising researchers have known for a long time that heat and humidity are good ways to inactivate viruses there hadn’t been an urgent need for a detailed quantitative analysis of something like mask decontamination until now.

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History of this topic

COVID-19: should we start wearing masks again?
1 year, 3 months ago

COVID-19: should we start wearing masks again?

The Hindu  

One thing that can be guaranteed about COVID-19 is that evolution will provide us with a more or less constant stream of new coronavirus variants, some of which will be more successful at infecting people. It’s this worry that there may be a new wave of infections that has got some people talking about the need to reintroduce measures that …

Should you wear a cloth mask, or an N95 to avoid Omicron? US health experts answer
2 years, 11 months ago

Should you wear a cloth mask, or an N95 to avoid Omicron? US health experts answer

India TV News  

Highlights Cloth and surgical masks do nothing for protection from ambient virus, said a US top expert Evidence of the the N95's superiority to the cloth mask has been well-documented. "Cloth and surgical masks do absolutely nothing for protection from ambient virus," said Chad Roy, a microbiologist at Tulane University School of Medicine, referring to the virus spreading through the …

Why is it better to wear an N95 than a cloth mask right now?
2 years, 11 months ago

Why is it better to wear an N95 than a cloth mask right now?

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Why is it better to wear an N95 than a cloth mask right now? It’s especially important now with health care systems under strain, and with people in higher-risk situations such as crowded, indoor settings for extended periods, says Linsey Marr, who studies viruses at Virginia Tech. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated …

Omicron Scare: Are N95 Masks Need of the Hour or Are Cloth Masks Still Safe?
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron Scare: Are N95 Masks Need of the Hour or Are Cloth Masks Still Safe?

News 18  

Health experts suggest stepping up protection against the highly contagious omicron variant with stronger masks such as N95s or KN95s. It’s especially important now with health care systems under strain, and with people in higher-risk situations such as crowded, indoor settings for extended periods, says Linsey Marr, who studies viruses at Virginia Tech. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and …

CDC Acknowledges Cloth Masks Are Less Effective Than Others
2 years, 11 months ago

CDC Acknowledges Cloth Masks Are Less Effective Than Others

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conceded Friday that cloth masks are less effective than surgical or respirator masks as protection against COVID-19. “Loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection, layered finely woven products offer more protection, well-fitting disposable surgical masks and KN95s offer even more protection, and well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators offer the highest level …

CDC encourages more Americans to consider N95 masks
2 years, 11 months ago

CDC encourages more Americans to consider N95 masks

LA Times  

Registered nurse Scott McGieson wears an N95 mask as he walks out of a patient’s room in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Friday. U.S. health officials on Friday encouraged more Americans to wear the kind of N95 or KN95 masks used by healthcare workers to slow the spread of the coronavirus. In updated guidance …

Wearing A Cloth Mask? You Can Get Covid-19 In 20 Minutes: Study
2 years, 11 months ago

Wearing A Cloth Mask? You Can Get Covid-19 In 20 Minutes: Study

News 18  

With the Covid-19 cases rising again rapidly all over the world, the debate over cloth masks vs N95 masks have begun again. While many switched to cloth masks considering the comfort factor after the country started recording less than 100 cases post the second Covid-19 wave, a large section of people still opt for surgical masks or N95 as they …

Reusable Cloth Masks May Be Effective Up to a Year, Study Finds
3 years, 3 months ago

Reusable Cloth Masks May Be Effective Up to a Year, Study Finds

News 18  

Reusable cloth masks may be effective up to a year, as washing and drying does not reduce their ability to filter out viral particles, according to a study. The study found that the cotton cloth masks filtered out up to 23 per cent of the smallest particle size of 0.3 microns on which the virus can travel. In comparison, cotton …

Can a face mask really neutralize the covid-19 virus?
3 years, 3 months ago

Can a face mask really neutralize the covid-19 virus?

Live Mint  

Researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico have created a facemask using silver and copper nanolayers that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the university's official gazette said on Thursday. To test the mask, researchers took drops with the virus from COVID-19-positive patients at the Hospital Juarez in Mexico and placed them on the silver-copper film deposited in …

Can the same mask used against COVID-19, keep me safe from the wildfire smoke?
3 years, 4 months ago

Can the same mask used against COVID-19, keep me safe from the wildfire smoke?

Firstpost  

Keep your house as protected from smoke as possible by keeping the windows closed and use a portable air cleaner. Research published last week found that weakened immune response caused by exposure to wildfire smoke last summer could be associated with thousands of additional infections and hundreds of deaths from COVID-19. Although smoke exposure and the coronavirus pose similar risks, …

Forget Painful Nose Swabs, This Face Mask Can Do Covid-19 Test For You
3 years, 5 months ago

Forget Painful Nose Swabs, This Face Mask Can Do Covid-19 Test For You

News 18  

Scientists at Harvard University and MIT have developed an “inexpensive” face mask that can detect coronavirus from the wearer’s breath and give results within 90 minutes. “We have essentially shrunk an entire diagnostic laboratory down into a small, synthetic biology-based sensor that works with any face mask, and combines the high accuracy of PCR tests with the speed and low …

COVID-19: Know which mask is right for you; how to wear N95 mask in 6 easy steps
3 years, 6 months ago

COVID-19: Know which mask is right for you; how to wear N95 mask in 6 easy steps

India Today  

Face masks have gained popularity and have become extremely important for people around the globe during pandemic hours. It is better to stay home and reduce physical interactions, but if you must leave for essentials, you should take proper precautions and wear the right mask which suits your face design. One is a surgical mask, the other one is a …

How and Why Face Masks are Effective in Limiting the Spread of Covid-19
3 years, 7 months ago

How and Why Face Masks are Effective in Limiting the Spread of Covid-19

News 18  

Researchers have found under which conditions and in which ways, masks actually reduce individual and population-average risks of being infected with Covid-19 and help mitigate the coronavirus pandemic. The study, led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany’s Mainz, showed that in most environments and situations, even simple surgical masks effectively reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 …

FDA: N95 masks, now plentiful, should no longer be reused
3 years, 8 months ago

FDA: N95 masks, now plentiful, should no longer be reused

Associated Press  

The Biden administration has taken the first step toward ending an emergency exception that allowed hospitals to ration and reuse N95 medical masks, the first line of defense between frontline workers and the deadly coronavirus. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is recommending health care personnel and facilities transition away from crisis capacity conservation strategies,” said the agency in a …

IIT Mandi Develops Self-cleaning, Reusable Fabric for Face Masks to Cut Down on Covid-19 Waste
3 years, 8 months ago

IIT Mandi Develops Self-cleaning, Reusable Fabric for Face Masks to Cut Down on Covid-19 Waste

News 18  

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi have developed a novel virus-filtering, self-cleaning and antibacterial material that can be used to make and reuse face masks and other PPE equipment. “Keeping the urgency of the pandemic situation and cost-effectiveness in mind, we have developed a strategy to repurpose existing PPEs, especially face masks, by providing an antimicrobial coating to …

What is KN95 mask, check details here
3 years, 8 months ago

What is KN95 mask, check details here

India Today  

As masks become an essential part of our daily lives, you should know about the type of masks you get in the market. What is a KN95 mask: KN95 is respiratory protective equipment designed to achieve a very close facial fit and a very efficient filtration of airborne particles. KN95 masks are a type of filtering facepiece respirator similar to …

Covid 'airborne': Use N95 or KN95 masks, keep alternating every 24 hours, says Infectious Diseases expert
3 years, 8 months ago

Covid 'airborne': Use N95 or KN95 masks, keep alternating every 24 hours, says Infectious Diseases expert

India Today  

One should try and use N95 or KN95 masks, Dr Faheem Younus said on Twitter in response to The Lancet study which asserted that Covid-19 is an airborne pathogen. Referring to the Lancet Covid-19 Commission's report, the chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland also said that 'airborne' does not mean the air is contaminated. Reacting to the …

Are cloth masks safe during second Covid wave? Here's what experts say
3 years, 8 months ago

Are cloth masks safe during second Covid wave? Here's what experts say

India Today  

The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is breaking all records in India. Always choose triple layer masks Dr Dhiren Gupta said that most fancy masks, preferred by people, are single-layered and provide negligible protection from the virus. Thus, you should consider wearing masks that can be tied at the back of the head as well," Dr Gupta said. Cloth …

The US has N95 masks available – you just can’t find them
3 years, 9 months ago

The US has N95 masks available – you just can’t find them

CNN  

CNN — Nearly a year ago, Brian Wolin got involved because he wanted to help. A chiropractor for 22 years, Wolin partnered with his brother-in-law to form Protective Health Gear, a New Jersey company set on making N95 masks to help health care workers in the coronavirus pandemic. After months of thorough paperwork and rigorous testing of his N95 mask, …

Hospitals still ration medical N95 masks as stockpiles swell
3 years, 10 months ago

Hospitals still ration medical N95 masks as stockpiles swell

Associated Press  

Mike Bowen’s warehouse outside Fort Worth, Texas, was piled high with cases of medical-grade N95 face masks. Turner’s employer, North Memorial Health, said in a statement that supplies have stabilized, but the company is still limiting use because “we must remain mindful of that supply” to ensure everyone’s safety. Chester “Trey” Moeller, a political appointee who served as the CDC’s …

People should wear better masks as COVID-19 variants are more contagious advise experts say
3 years, 10 months ago

People should wear better masks as COVID-19 variants are more contagious advise experts say

Firstpost  

The best materials for blocking small particles include non-woven polypropylene, which is used to make N95s and many surgical-type masks, and the HEPA filters in planes. “Good filtration removes as many particles as possible, and a good fit means that there are no leaks around the sides of your mask, where air – and viruses – can leak through,” she …

Why You Should Double-Mask To Prevent COVID-19 (And How To Do It)
3 years, 10 months ago

Why You Should Double-Mask To Prevent COVID-19 (And How To Do It)

Huff Post  

As COVID continues to rapidly spread through the country ― especially now with omicron in the picture ― it might be time to upgrade your face mask strategy. The research suggests that wearing one medical grade mask — such as a surgical mask — underneath a cloth mask significantly boosts protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Here’s everything …

The face mask that could end the Covid-19 pandemic
3 years, 11 months ago

The face mask that could end the Covid-19 pandemic

CNN  

CNN — Getting Americans masked up is a top priority for the Biden administration. Some experts like Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School physician Dr. Abraar Karan have been advocating for public use of N95 masks from the start of the pandemic. Former US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb wrote in an op-ed in the …

You Might be More at Risk From Reused Face Masks Than Not Wearing One, Study Finds
4 years ago

You Might be More at Risk From Reused Face Masks Than Not Wearing One, Study Finds

News 18  

With face masks becoming one of the most prominent shields to keep coronavirus at bay, wearing one has become mandatory across the world. But now, researchers have also stumbled upon some findings that say wearing a used mask is less effective at protecting one against the virus than not wearing one, a Daily Mail report said. Associate professor of biomedical …

‘Astonishing’ Amount Of Masks Thrown Out During Pandemic: Scientists
4 years ago

‘Astonishing’ Amount Of Masks Thrown Out During Pandemic: Scientists

Huff Post  

Alarm bells went off among environmental scientists in February, as COVID-19 spread across Europe and inched toward North America. There’ll be a lot of masks.” Based on early data from Italy, the researchers estimated the world would use 129 billion masks each month of the pandemic, according to their article published in June. They’ve both been studying littering and pollution …

Design of Face Masks Crucial in Breaking the Chain of Coronavirus. Here's Why
4 years ago

Design of Face Masks Crucial in Breaking the Chain of Coronavirus. Here's Why

News 18  

Researchers, including one from Indian-origin, stressed that materials, design and length of face masks are important to help slow the spread of Covid-19. “The results suggest that the consistent use of efficient face masks, such as surgical masks, could lead to the eradication of the pandemic if at least 70 per cent of the residents use such masks in public …

Design of masks important to slow Covid spread: Study
4 years ago

Design of masks important to slow Covid spread: Study

India TV News  

Researchers, including one from Indian-origin, stressed that materials, design and length of face masks are important to help slow the spread of Covid-19. "The results suggest that the consistent use of efficient face masks, such as surgical masks, could lead to the eradication of the pandemic if at least 70 per cent of the residents use such masks in public …

Coronavirus FAQ: How Do I Clean My Mask — Washing Machine? Oven? Broccoli Steamer?
4 years, 1 month ago

Coronavirus FAQ: How Do I Clean My Mask — Washing Machine? Oven? Broccoli Steamer?

NPR  

Coronavirus FAQ: How Do I Clean My Mask — Washing Machine? The jury is still out on exactly how important it is to wash your mask to prevent COVID-19 infection, but MacIntyre dug into some data from her 2015 study on cloth masks and found evidence that washing masks in a machine, instead of by hand, helps prevent infections of …

New cotton mask kills 99.9% viruses, bacteria in an hour of sunlight, says study
4 years, 1 month ago

New cotton mask kills 99.9% viruses, bacteria in an hour of sunlight, says study

India Today  

A new cloth-based face mask has been developed by researchers that can kill up to 99.99 per cent of bacteria and viruses within 60 minutes of daylight exposure. Reserachers have developed a reusable cotton face mask that can kill 99.9999 per cent of bacteria and viruses within an hour of exposure to sunlight, according to the study published in the …

Would you wear a heated face mask that kills coronaviruses?
4 years, 1 month ago

Would you wear a heated face mask that kills coronaviruses?

Live Mint  

It’s one of the biggest debates that will refuse to die down even after the covid-19 pandemic subsides. The researchers at MIT are following a completely new concept of a face mask that users a heated copper mesh that would inactivate viruses, rather than filtering them. “As the person wearing the mask breathes in and out, air flows repeatedly across …

Proper homemade masks also effective against Covid spread: Rotterdam researchers
4 years, 2 months ago

Proper homemade masks also effective against Covid spread: Rotterdam researchers

NL Times  

A homemade face mask can work well against the spread of the coronavirus, as long as it is properly made and contains some form of filter material, according to a study by Erasmus MC in Rotterdam. Filter material used in ventilation systems work best, but kitchen paper also makes an effective filter, researcher Gwen Teesing said to Het Parool. The …

Researchers combine heat and humidity to disinfect N95 masks for reuse
4 years, 2 months ago

Researchers combine heat and humidity to disinfect N95 masks for reuse

Live Mint  

Healthcare workers, facing the shortage of protective equipment such as N95 masks, are left with no other option but to reuse their gear, thus increasing the risk of spreading coronavirus infection. However, there may be help on the way as researchers at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University and the University of Texas Medical Branch have …

COVID-19: Homemade masks release fibres into air, important to wash them, say scientists
4 years, 2 months ago

COVID-19: Homemade masks release fibres into air, important to wash them, say scientists

India TV News  

While surgical and N95 masks cut down the amount of aerosolized particles emitted during breathing, talking and coughing, scientists say in the case of homemade cloth face coverings, the fabric which traps the droplets may release a large amount of fibres into the air, underscoring the importance of washing them. They set up experiments to measure the flow of particles …

N95 Masks are Most Effective in Blocking Particles, Cloth Covering Releases Fibre into Air: Study
4 years, 2 months ago

N95 Masks are Most Effective in Blocking Particles, Cloth Covering Releases Fibre into Air: Study

News 18  

When it comes to face masks, surgical N95 masks are the most potent for blocking most particles, if a recent study is to be believed. They found that N95 masks and common surgical masks were able to cut down most of the aerosolized particles emitted during breathing, talking and coughing. They later tested a batch of homemade cloth face covers …

Study Finds out New Technique of Disinfecting N-95 Masks Without Hampering Virus-filter Ability
4 years, 2 months ago

Study Finds out New Technique of Disinfecting N-95 Masks Without Hampering Virus-filter Ability

News 18  

Using a combination of moderate heat and high relative humidity, researchers were able to disinfect N95 mask materials without hampering their ability to filter out viruses, including Covid-19. “The ability to decontaminate several of these masks while doctors are having a coffee break will lessen the chance that masks contaminated with Covid viruses would expose other patients,” said study author …

How Effective Are Homemade Fabric Masks Against the Spread of Covid-19?
4 years, 3 months ago

How Effective Are Homemade Fabric Masks Against the Spread of Covid-19?

News 18  

To reduce the transmission of COVID-19, precautionary measures like washing hands with soap and water, using sanitisers, maintaining physical distance and wearing a mask are extremely necessary. Determining the effectiveness of homemade masks Aerosols are tiny particles that are less than 5 micrometres in size and can be as small as 100 nanometres, whereas the larger droplets are around one …

Face masks: Check out which coverings offer sufficient protection and which do not work against Covid-19
4 years, 3 months ago

Face masks: Check out which coverings offer sufficient protection and which do not work against Covid-19

Hindustan Times  

While the hunt for a vaccine against the novel coronavirus continues, researchers across the world have been evaluating the best materials for filtering Covid-19, especially protective gears like face masks. Face masks that work and do not work against Covid-19 A face mask comes handy not only because it blocks the large respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes and prevents …

Scarcity of raw material still squeezes N95 mask makers
4 years, 3 months ago

Scarcity of raw material still squeezes N95 mask makers

Associated Press  

FRESNO, Calif. — White House officials say U.S. hospitals have all the medical supplies needed to battle the deadly virus, but frontline workers, hospital officials and even the Food and Drug Administration say that’s not the case. Pressure on the medical supply chain continues today, and in “many ways things have only gotten worse,” the American Medical Association president, Dr. …

COVID-19 pandemic prompts designers to reimagine PPE, make it more effective and accessible
4 years, 3 months ago

COVID-19 pandemic prompts designers to reimagine PPE, make it more effective and accessible

Firstpost  

In March, as Covid-19 cases spiked and supplies of N95 protective masks dwindled at the Bay Area hospital where her brother-in-law works, Megan Duong launched a local search for N95s. It’s now possible to find startups crowdfunding for or selling a silver-plated antimicrobial glove, a facemask hidden in the brim of a hat, and a protective bubble that covers the …

Scarcity of key material squeezes medical mask manufacturing
4 years, 3 months ago

Scarcity of key material squeezes medical mask manufacturing

Associated Press  

FRESNO, Calif. — Rachel Spray is still grieving the loss of her fellow nurse who died after being exposed to the novel coronavirus at Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center in California. Pressure on the medical supply chain continues today, and in “many ways things have only gotten worse,” the American Medical Association’s president, Dr. Susan Bailey, said in a recent …

Single-use N95 Respirators Can Be Used Again After Decontamination Due to Covid19, Study Says
4 years, 3 months ago

Single-use N95 Respirators Can Be Used Again After Decontamination Due to Covid19, Study Says

News 18  

N95 respirators, which are widely worn by health care workers treating COVID-19 patients, and are designed to be used only once, can be decontaminated effectively and worn up to three times, according to a new study that could help reuse these scarce resources amidst the pandemic. “Although N95 respirators are designed for just one use before disposal, in times of …

Indian scientists find N95 masks to be most effective at stopping COVID-19 spread
4 years, 3 months ago

Indian scientists find N95 masks to be most effective at stopping COVID-19 spread

The Hindu  

N95 masks may be the most effective at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to a study by researchers, including those from the Indian Space Research Organisation, which suggests that any mask is better than no mask at preventing COVID-19. The N95 masks reduced a cough’s initial velocity by up to a factor of 10, and limit its …

Indian Scientists Find N-95 Masks to be Most Effective at Stopping Covid-19 Spread
4 years, 3 months ago

Indian Scientists Find N-95 Masks to be Most Effective at Stopping Covid-19 Spread

News 18  

N95 masks may be the most effective at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus, according a study by researchers, including those from the Indian Space Research Organisation, which suggests that any mask is better than no mask at preventing COVID-19. The N95 masks reduced a cough’s initial velocity by up to a factor of 10, and limit its spread …

Coronavirus | The latecomer’s guide to face masks
4 years, 4 months ago

Coronavirus | The latecomer’s guide to face masks

The Hindu  

If you’re confused with all the information about what mask to wear, and how COVID-19 is transmitted in the first place, you’re like most people who have a dozen masks around the house, with no clarity on what works best. Even if everyone around you is wearing a mask, the World Health Organization has not ruled out aerosol transmission in …

Amid Victorian coronavirus deaths, pressure mounts for respirator masks to protect Australian doctors
4 years, 4 months ago

Amid Victorian coronavirus deaths, pressure mounts for respirator masks to protect Australian doctors

ABC  

It's a workplace uniform which has scared little children, but for Perth doctor Sean Stevens the alternative to not wearing it is far more terrifying. Key points: Healthcare workers are concerned about the risk of a WA outbreak Healthcare workers are concerned about the risk of a WA outbreak The Government has ramped up procurement of PPE for the sector …

Moist heat treatment of N95 masks eliminates Covid-19: Study
4 years, 4 months ago

Moist heat treatment of N95 masks eliminates Covid-19: Study

Hindustan Times  

Scientists have found that moist heat treatment of N95 masks eliminates the novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19, an advance which could allow reuse of these scarce resources in hospitals and long-term care facilities. In the study, the researchers tested four common models of N95 masks at various temperatures and humidity levels to determine whether the virus could be detected on …

Doctors fear 'unacceptable risk' on Melbourne coronavirus ward without specialist N95 masks
4 years, 4 months ago

Doctors fear 'unacceptable risk' on Melbourne coronavirus ward without specialist N95 masks

ABC  

Doctors on Australia's coronavirus frontline at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne believe they are at unacceptable risk because they do not have adequate protective equipment, forcing some to steal specialised masks from other areas of the hospital or buy their own. Key points: Doctors at the Alfred who care for COVID-19 patients want N95 masks which provide the "best level …

There are many myths about using face masks in the coronavirus pandemic. Here's what we know about them
4 years, 5 months ago

There are many myths about using face masks in the coronavirus pandemic. Here's what we know about them

ABC  

From August 3, it will be mandatory to wear a mask or face covering across all of Victoria when leaving home. Some of the lawful excuses not to wear a mask listed by the Victorian DHHS include: If you are affected by a relevant medical condition If you are communicating with a person who is hearing-impaired, where the ability to …

N95 masks with valves 'detrimental' to curb the spread of COVID-19: Health Ministry letter to states
4 years, 5 months ago

N95 masks with valves 'detrimental' to curb the spread of COVID-19: Health Ministry letter to states

Firstpost  

Masks like the N95 filters in clean air that the user inhales but the valves release exhaled, contaminated air back into the environment. In a letter addressed to the letter to all states and union territories, the Director-General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health Dr Rajiv Garg, has warned against the “inappropriate use” of N95 masks, particularly ones …

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