What I know about the N95 Mask & How to Sterilize It
I don't know why anyone would ask an MD a hypothetical question requiring a yes or no answer. The answer would always be 'NO;' why? Well because it's not in any protocol that they've learned at their beloved medical school and they do not step outside their damn guidelines.
A case in point, Dr. Gupta was asked by a CNN viewer if it was alright to use Lysol to disinfect her mask when returning home. The good doctor said 'no' and mumbled something about the mask being a 'doctor's' mask and the implication was that you shouldn't tamper with a sanctified object.
Now, this woman was left to try and obtain more masks because--if Dr. Gupta is to be believed--you just can't disinfect it. Bull crap! Dr. Gupta readily said no to the woman with regard to the use of Lysol but you'd think that with the money he brings in, he'd offer the poor woman a means of disinfecting her mask. Lacking a ready supply of masks, we the public, need to reuse masks extensively. I've used the same two masks since it became fashionable and after I get through sanitizing, they're as good as new.
Although there are problems with some disinfectants/solvents, you can always find something that will do the job. Read on for some suggestions.
According to the manufacturer the mask is layered with three components: there is a polyester mesh sandwiched between two polypropylene meshes. There is also an elastomeric "rubber band" component, an aluminium nose pincher, and a polyurethane comfort foam for the nose.
The most effective layer is the polyester, followed by the two polypropylene layers which also allow for "welding" of the layers ultrasonically. Unfortunately, polypropylene degrades under UV and polyurethane degrades with isopropyl alcohol.
I do not know for how long UV light needs to irradiate the mask to ensure sterilization but I don't think I want too much degradation of the polypropylene layers being as it seems that those layers hold the polyester layer in alignment. Isopropyl alcohol is also problematic for the polypropylene but not ethyl alcohol which you can obtain at 100% strength at the liquor store (EverClear). I like ethyl alcohol but it's expensive. I'd rather either take my chances with isopropyl while checking periodically for outer layer degradation or, if I'm not in a hurry, I could use hydrogen peroxide which is safe for all components and just needs a little more time to dry--I'll spray the outside of the mask with H2O2 and spray the inside too--if it's smelling a little funky...eww. I use it straight from the commercially sold dark brown bottle. Dr. Gupta should have contacted the Lysol people to ask if their product degraded polypropylene, polyester, or polyurethane.
Alas, Doctor's don't do that. They would rather say 'no,' than be embroiled in a lawsuit by saying 'yes;' and, they'll only say 'yes' if it has FDA approval. There is so much sanctified knowledge that a doctor never needs to worry about appearing stupid--if he just learns how to say 'no' judiciously.
An alternative which I haven't had time to test is to add potassium metabisulfite to a bag and suspend the mask in the bag to let the fumes disinfect everything. This substance is used to disinfect all the items used in wine-making--in addition, it's used in the final product to keep it sanitized but I drink my homemade wine so quickly that I don't need to add those 'sulfites.' The chemical is a strong oxidizer as most of the sanitizers are.
Media Notes:
Welcome back to Brooke Baldwin whose covid-19 experience left her bright eyed and bushy-tailed with an extra helping of empathy for the sufferers.
A case in point, Dr. Gupta was asked by a CNN viewer if it was alright to use Lysol to disinfect her mask when returning home. The good doctor said 'no' and mumbled something about the mask being a 'doctor's' mask and the implication was that you shouldn't tamper with a sanctified object.
Now, this woman was left to try and obtain more masks because--if Dr. Gupta is to be believed--you just can't disinfect it. Bull crap! Dr. Gupta readily said no to the woman with regard to the use of Lysol but you'd think that with the money he brings in, he'd offer the poor woman a means of disinfecting her mask. Lacking a ready supply of masks, we the public, need to reuse masks extensively. I've used the same two masks since it became fashionable and after I get through sanitizing, they're as good as new.
Although there are problems with some disinfectants/solvents, you can always find something that will do the job. Read on for some suggestions.
According to the manufacturer the mask is layered with three components: there is a polyester mesh sandwiched between two polypropylene meshes. There is also an elastomeric "rubber band" component, an aluminium nose pincher, and a polyurethane comfort foam for the nose.
The most effective layer is the polyester, followed by the two polypropylene layers which also allow for "welding" of the layers ultrasonically. Unfortunately, polypropylene degrades under UV and polyurethane degrades with isopropyl alcohol.
I do not know for how long UV light needs to irradiate the mask to ensure sterilization but I don't think I want too much degradation of the polypropylene layers being as it seems that those layers hold the polyester layer in alignment. Isopropyl alcohol is also problematic for the polypropylene but not ethyl alcohol which you can obtain at 100% strength at the liquor store (EverClear). I like ethyl alcohol but it's expensive. I'd rather either take my chances with isopropyl while checking periodically for outer layer degradation or, if I'm not in a hurry, I could use hydrogen peroxide which is safe for all components and just needs a little more time to dry--I'll spray the outside of the mask with H2O2 and spray the inside too--if it's smelling a little funky...eww. I use it straight from the commercially sold dark brown bottle. Dr. Gupta should have contacted the Lysol people to ask if their product degraded polypropylene, polyester, or polyurethane.
Alas, Doctor's don't do that. They would rather say 'no,' than be embroiled in a lawsuit by saying 'yes;' and, they'll only say 'yes' if it has FDA approval. There is so much sanctified knowledge that a doctor never needs to worry about appearing stupid--if he just learns how to say 'no' judiciously.
An alternative which I haven't had time to test is to add potassium metabisulfite to a bag and suspend the mask in the bag to let the fumes disinfect everything. This substance is used to disinfect all the items used in wine-making--in addition, it's used in the final product to keep it sanitized but I drink my homemade wine so quickly that I don't need to add those 'sulfites.' The chemical is a strong oxidizer as most of the sanitizers are.
Media Notes:
Welcome back to Brooke Baldwin whose covid-19 experience left her bright eyed and bushy-tailed with an extra helping of empathy for the sufferers.
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