Effectiveness of N95 Respirator Decontamination and Reuse against SARS-CoV-2 Virus

The unprecedented pandemic of coronavirus disease has created worldwide shortages of personal protective equipment, in particular respiratory protection such as N95 respirators (1). Transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) occurs frequently in hospital settings; numerous reported cases of nosocomial transmission highlight the vulnerability of healthcare workers (2). The environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 virus underscores the need for rapid and effective decontamination methods.

In general, N95 respirators are designed for one use before disposal. Extensive literature is available for decontaminating N95 respirators of either bacterial spores, bacteria, or respiratory viruses (e.g. influenza A virus) (3–6). Effective inactivation methods for these pathogens and surrogates include UV light, ethylene oxide, vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), gamma irradiation, ozone, and dry heat (A. Cramer et al., unpub data, https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.28.20043471) (3–6). The filtration efficiency and fit of N95 respirators has been less well explored, but reports suggest that both filtration efficiency and N95 respirator fit can be affected by the decontamination method used (7; Appendix).

We analyzed 4 different decontamination methods, UV light (260–285 nm), 70ºC dry heat, 70% ethanol, and VHP, for their ability to reduce contamination with infectious SARS-CoV-2 and their effect on N95 respirator function. The starting inoculum of SARS-CoV-2 has cycle threshold values of 20–22, similar to those observed in samples obtained from the upper and lower respiratory tract in humans. For each of the decontamination methods, we compared the normal inactivation rate of SARS-CoV-2 virus on N95 filter fabric to that on stainless steel. Using quantitative fit testing, we measured the filtration performance of N95 respirators after each decontamination run and 2 hours of wear, for 3 consecutive decontamination and wear sessions (Appendix). VHP and ethanol yielded extremely rapid inactivation both on N95 and on stainless steel (Figure, panel A). UV light inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly from steel but more slowly on N95 fabric, probable because of its porous nature. Heat caused more rapid inactivation on N95 than on steel; inactivation rates on N95 were comparable to UV.

Quantitative fit tests showed that the filtration performance of the N95 respirator was not markedly reduced after a single decontamination for any of the 4 decontamination methods (Figure, panel B). Subsequent rounds of decontamination caused sharp drops in filtration performance of the ethanol-treated masks and, to a slightly lesser degree, the heat-treated masks. The VHP- and UV-treated masks retained comparable filtration performance to the control group after 2 rounds of decontamination and maintained acceptable performance after 3 rounds.

Our findings showed that VHP treatment had the best combination of rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 virus and preservation of N95 respirator integrity under the experimental conditions (Figure, panel C). UV light killed the virus more slowly and preserved respirator function almost as well. Dry heat at 70ºC killed the virus with similar speed to UV and is likely to maintain acceptable fit scores for 1–2 rounds of decontamination but should not be used for 3 rounds. Consistent with earlier findings (8), ethanol decontamination reduced N95 integrity and is not recommended.

All treatments, particularly UV light and dry heat, should be conducted for long enough to ensure sufficient reduction in virus concentration. The degree of required reduction depends upon the degree of initial virus contamination. Policymakers can use our estimated decay rates together with estimates of real-world contamination to choose appropriate treatment durations (Appendix).

Our results indicate that, in times of shortage, N95 respirators can be decontaminated and reused up to 3 times by using UV light and HPV and 1–2 times by using dry heat. Following nationally established guidelines for fit testing, seal check, and respirator reuse is critical (9,10). We recommend performing decontamination for sufficient time and ensuring proper function of the respirators after decontamination using readily available qualitative fit testing tools.