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Evaluation of heat inactivation of virus contamination on medical mask |
Song Wuhui1,Pan Bin2,Kan Haidong2,Xu Yanyi2,Yi Zhigang1 |
1. Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; 2. Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China |
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Abstract The outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan and its continuous spread to almost all the area of China created an urgent need for personal protective equipment (PPE). Heat inactivating contaminated pathogens on the surface of PPE may provide a possible way to re-use PPE and alleviate the great burden of needs of PPE. We assessed the effect of heating inactivation of influenza virus on medical masks by baking and hair dryer. We also assessed mask filterability to PM2.5 after similar heating processes. Efficiency of viral inactivation was evaluated by infecting MDCK cells with the rescued virus and quantifying the viral RNA levels in the supernatants produced by the infected cells. Using theair dryer for 30 minutes effectively inactivated virus whereas baking at 56 ℃ for 30 min partially inactivated virus. Both hair dryer and baking did not significantly affect the mask filterability to ambient PM2.5. Although the results indicated that in the period that masks are insufficient for whole population, the community people can use this simple technique to regenerate masks for reuse, it is important to note that this method is not suitable for people who are in close contact with patients, medical staffs and laboratory technicians.
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Received: 08 February 2020
Published: 25 February 2020
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Corresponding Authors:
Xu Yanyi,Yi Zhigang
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