Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => COVID-19 => Topic started by: melaniejs on 05/04/2020 17:15:50

Title: Can masks and other PPE be disinfected, washed, and reused?
Post by: melaniejs on 05/04/2020 17:15:50

Paul is concerned about PPE:

Why cannot masks and the other PPE be disinfected, washed, and used again?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Can masks and other PPE be disinfected, washed, and reused?
Post by: chris on 06/04/2020 21:47:11

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is considered single use; it would be a huge risk, and very energy and time inefficient, to attempt to recycle it, so it is incinerated. 

Title: Re: Can masks and other PPE be disinfected, washed, and reused?
Post by: Bored chemist on 06/04/2020 21:49:36

Also, on a simple practical note some bits are made from essentially, paper.

Title: Re: Can masks and other PPE be disinfected, washed, and reused?
Post by: Edwina Lee on 03/05/2020 03:02:22

In Hong Kong, government advised health workers to re-use the clinical grade masks by heating them in a dry rice cooker for 10 minutes.  Re-use up to 4 times. i.e. use 5 times.