Author Topic: Question for the medical personnel  (Read 1095 times)

Online Erato

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Question for the medical personnel
« on: Tuesday 24 March 20 19:19 GMT (UK) »
Why doesn't autoclaving work to sterilize the protective masks and gowns so that they can safely be reused?
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Offline davidft

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Re: Question for the medical personnel
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 24 March 20 19:23 GMT (UK) »
Wouldn't the heat from the autoclave destroy them?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave

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Offline mckha489

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Re: Question for the medical personnel
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 24 March 20 19:27 GMT (UK) »
I tried this once with a mask, just to see.

The masks are moisture resistant, ie you can hold one under a tap and fill it with water and hold it for ages before any liquid comes through.

Once they are autoclaved this is no longer prevented. So not so effective. (Or effective at all probably).



Online Erato

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Re: Question for the medical personnel
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 24 March 20 19:52 GMT (UK) »
Ah, so they're treated with some waterproofing material which melts off under high heat.  I wonder if they could be autoclaved and then resprayed with the waterproofer?
Wiltshire:  Banks, Taylor
Somerset:  Duddridge, Richards, Barnard, Pillinger
Gloucestershire:  Barnard, Marsh, Crossman
Bristol:  Banks, Duddridge, Barnard
Down:  Ennis, McGee
Wicklow:  Chapman, Pepper
Wigtownshire:  Logan, Conning
Wisconsin:  Ennis, Chapman, Logan, Ware
Maine:  Ware, Mitchell, Tarr, Davis


Offline Gadget

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Re: Question for the medical personnel
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 24 March 20 20:06 GMT (UK) »
I use an ffp3 mask when I do some glass work techniques. I have heard that UV light can be used to sterilize them

 I've not tried it.
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Offline mckha489

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Re: Question for the medical personnel
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 24 March 20 20:11 GMT (UK) »
I think it’s more complicated than that.

And don’t forget, you have to be able to breathe. 

Added. Would UV light get into the multiple layers of a surgical mask? I don’t think so.

If they were at all re-usable  I think I would have heard of it before now. There is always someone trying to save every cent 😀

As far as I know, the best thing in these circumstances is to use the same mask for as long as possible keeping it as dry as possible.

Offline Gadget

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Re: Question for the medical personnel
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 24 March 20 20:16 GMT (UK) »
Something on it here

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4699414/

Add - part of the conclusion

Quote
Our results suggest that UVGI could be used to disinfect respirators, although the maximum number of disinfection cycles will be limited by the respirator model and the UVGI dose required to inactivate the pathogen.
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Offline mckha489

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Re: Question for the medical personnel
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 24 March 20 20:27 GMT (UK) »
Reading that paper (from 2015) makes you cry.
All the figures for stockpiles required are there.

Added, and it is referring to the N95 masks,  not the regular every day surgical masks.

Offline Kimbrey

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Re: Question for the medical personnel
« Reply #8 on: Wednesday 25 March 20 09:36 GMT (UK) »

I seem to remember reading (somewhere!) that Surgical Masks have some Copper in them,to prevent the build up of moisture when worn for long periods?

Kim