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Disinfection of masks (and probably other things)
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:54 am
by jeba
I previously posted that you could inactivate the virus on masks and other items at 70 degrees.
That used to be an official recommendation of the German government. Seems this isn´t good enough. You better use 90 deg for 90 min.
On the recommendation of the Ministry of Health, hospitals, surgeries and nursing homes use protective masks several times after they have been heated to 70 degrees. The responsible specialist institute now states: This method is unsuitable. But the practice has not been changed so far.
According to a media report, the coronavirus is not completely killed by the reprocessing method of respirators recommended by the federal government. This was reported by the ZDF magazine "Frontal 21", citing a paper from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). According to this paper, the reprocessing procedure advocated by the Federal Government so far "is not sufficient to achieve a complete inactivation of infectious virus particles on the incubated masks".
This means that this method can no longer be recommended for the decontamination of masks, the paper states. The BfArM therefore demands that the current reprocessing procedure be terminated immediately. According to "Frontal 21", the letter is dated 24 April and is addressed to the higher-ranking Federal Ministry of Health. Nevertheless, the reprocessing procedure using dry heat at 70 degrees is still permitted, the magazine reported. When asked, the responsible ministries did not comment on the controversial procedure.
According to the report, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Labor had specified the procedure at the beginning of April. Numerous hospitals, doctors' offices as well as nursing homes and care services have since used respirators several times after they have been reprocessed in the prescribed procedure.
The internal BfArM paper also mentions a possible alternative: According to this paper, in case of correspondingly positive examination results, thermal decontamination at 90 degrees for 90 minutes could probably be recommended as an alternative procedure. However, further test results are to be awaited first.
Translated with
www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Source:
https://www.n-tv.de/panorama/Empfohlene ... 46637.html
Just for the record: When I used the term disinfection in the headline this was not strictly correct as not all microorganisms may be killed or inactivated that way. But given that this isn´t a scientific journal I deemed it more appropriate to use the everyday language term.
Re: Disinfection of masks (and probably other things)
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 11:49 am
by Jimgward
Disinfectant kills bacteria. Alcohol and heat kills viruses better. I know you know that. Corona virus is killed by soap as the soap breaks down the coating of the virus.
Re-using masks is a difficult one. I know of a company who are creating a silicone mask, with replaceable inner and filter, to FFP3 level of protection. After use, you boil the mask, having disposed of the inner and filter, then replace the parts and re-use. Cheaper to do that. 5 masks and 50 filters for £91.
Re: Disinfection of masks (and probably other things)
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 12:37 pm
by jeba
Jimgward wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 11:49 am
Disinfectant kills bacteria. Alcohol and heat kills viruses better. I know you know that. Corona virus is killed by soap as the soap breaks down the coating of the virus.
Problem is there are things you can´t use disinfectant on e. g. your bread - might taste funny thereafter. Hence my suggestion to heat it up.
Re: Disinfection of masks (and probably other things)
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 12:43 pm
by Dominic
What is the point of disinfecting masks anyway? Presumably, they are to stop you spreading the virus around by shielding your cough.
Well, if you don't have the virus, it won't get on your mask. But if you do have the virus, what does it matter if it is on your mask, as you've already got it?
Provided you don't share masks, why bother cleaning them? Or why not just have, say, three masks, and wear a different one each outing. The ones not worn can be hung out somewhere, and the virus will die in hours or a day or two anyway.
Re: Disinfection of masks (and probably other things)
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 1:10 pm
by jeba
Dominic wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 12:43 pm
What is the point of disinfecting masks anyway? Presumably, they are to stop you spreading the virus around by shielding your cough.
Well, if you don't have the virus, it won't get on your mask. But if you do have the virus, what does it matter if it is on your mask, as you've already got it?
Provided you don't share masks, why bother cleaning them? Or why not just have, say, three masks, and wear a different one each outing. The ones not worn can be hung out somewhere, and the virus will die in hours or a day or two anyway.
I´m lucky to have FFP2 masks. Plus if you are a vector virus and and saliva might form a reservoir of virus within your mask so that if you cough there will be lots of virus spread (as the moisture will protect the virus from drying). This is why e. g. Dr. Montgomery, the chairman of the World Medical Association, is opposing the use of any masks which aren´t at least FFP2 masks.
Re: Disinfection of masks (and probably other things)
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:19 pm
by J B
The human hand can only withstand temperatures of up to 50C ... so wash your hands to kill the bugs
However, material seems to need 90C
Re: Disinfection of masks (and probably other things)
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 7:58 pm
by jeba
J B wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:19 pm
However, material seems to need 90C
Yes, if you´re using dry heat and want quick virus inactivation.
Re: Disinfection of masks (and probably other things)
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:24 pm
by J B
jeba wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 7:58 pm
J B wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:19 pm
However, material seems to need 90C
Yes, if you´re using dry heat and want quick virus inactivation.
So, wash your hands at 50C for two minutes and your clothes at 90C for 90 minutes?
