N95 Masks

Covid 19 has changed our life, requirements and priorities also. One of the fast selling items today is an N95 mask. Everybody wants to stock them. The vendors are escalating prices of these masks like shares. These masks are to be used by medical professionals who are working with infected patients directly. This is not for people who step out once in two days for grocery shopping.

Many people have bought a 100 masks and stocked them for no reason. Be wise . Stock only what is required. Dr. Peter Tsai, the INVENTOR of the filtration fabric in the N95 mask says N95 masks are made of polypropylene material, and are designed to tightly fit over your face with little leakage around the edge of the mask. Just for your information, This mask can be reused.

MASK REUSE METHOD #1

When reusing N95 masks, leave a used respirator in dry, atmosphere air for 3-4 days to dry it out. Polypropylene in N95 masks is hydrophobic, and contains zero moisture. COVID-19 needs a host to survive–it can survive on a metal surface for up to 48 hours, on plastic for 72 hours, and on cardboard for 24 hours. When the respirator is dry in 3-4 days, the virus will not have survived.

Take four N95 masks, and number them (#1-4).

On day 1, use mask #1, then let it dry it out for 3-4 days.

On day 2, use mask #2, then let it dry out for 3-4 days.

Same for day 3, and day 4…

MASK REUSE METHOD #2

You can also sterilize the N95 mask by hanging it in the oven (without contacting metal) at 70C (158F) for 30 minutes—it is reported that COVID-19 cannot survive at 65C (149F) for 30 minutes.

Use a wood clip to hang the respirator in the kitchen oven to do the sterilization.

When sterilizing N95 masks, be wary of using UV light–keep N95 masks away from UV light / sunlight. N95 masks are degraded by UV light because it damages the electrostatic charges in the polypropylene material. It is unclear how long the masks can be exposed to UV light before they are ineffective.

TIPS FOR REUSE METHOD #1 AND METHOD #2

DO NOT place the respirator on a metal surface, or too close to metal–the temperature on the metal surface is higher than the air temperature.

Keep N95 masks away from UV light / sunlight.

When removing the mask, hold the edge of the straps attached to take off the N95 mask. Your hands may be contaminated at this time–don’t touch the inside part of the respirator. Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds afterward.

You don’t need 100 masks. You can have 4 and reuse them as explained . Saving resources right now is a major requirement. Understand the same and be your best !