Healthy Herald How long do FFP2 masks last?

FFP2/3 (Filtering Face Piece or facial filter) and N95 masks are non-reusable material. However, in situations of scarcity, science supports its decontamination (a new sterilization, basically) that normally cannot be done in a common home. To begin with, it is essential that the masks to be decontaminated are not torn or dirty; They cannot be washed in any case, since, when wet, the polypropylene filter material loses its water-repellent layer (the one that prevents humidity or leaks) and they no longer fulfill their purpose.

One possibility for resterilization is to use hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV, also known as the Batelle system). La Española de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública e Higiene (SEMPSPH) clarifies that each mask decontaminated through this process can be reprocessed a maximum of two times: that is, three uses in total. This process is done in steam autoclaves at 121ºC, with an interval of 15 minutes of sterilization.

Other methods are dry heat in a convection oven, heating at 70° C for 30 minutes; sterilization with steam generated by microwaves consisting of humid heat through a cycle at 65ºC for 30 minutes and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation with a double lamp and two and a half minutes of exposure time.

@charlesarthur @ivan007 Yes and my point is that's both entirely unacceptable and completely beside the point as an… https://t.co/1Y0HIeESOt

— Nextcontext Sun Jul 25 13:55:32 +0000 2021

More informationGuide on masks: types, how to use and wash them, where to buy them and the fines for not wearing them List of solidarity pharmacies that sell FFP2 masks at a maximum price of 3.50 euros

More steam

Decontamination with hydrogen peroxide gas plasma has also been successfully tested between two and three times, or the application of steam at 121ºC for fifteen minutes, always observing that the rubber bands remain intact and close well; no more than three uses, in any case. The easiest to do at home is perhaps decontamination with water vapor for five minutes, checking that it does not deform.

RELATED NEWS

Finally, decontamination with 99% ethanol has also been tested for one hour and drying at room temperature, to maintain the 95% filtration characteristic of this mask. Exposing them to ozone gas for one minute also works, but each mask so disinfected should not be given more than three uses. These processes, of course, must be carried out with the utmost care, maintaining safety distances and wearing protective gloves.

Last minute on the coronavirus.

More informationThe types of masks and prices against the coronavirus: from hygienic to the FFP3Where can I buy the masks and at what price?The OCU warns of more masks that do not comply with the regulations and are unsafeIn which supermarkets can you buy masks of protection? This is how a hygienic mask is disinfected