ArticlePloS one2021
Can sterilization of disposable face masks be an alternative for imported face masks? A nationwide field study including 19 sterilization departments and 471 imported brand types during COVID-19 shortages.
Article in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed.
- A life cycle assessment of disposing intra-operative collected fluids, a comparative study between the Neptune 3 versus canister drainage.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- [Hygiene and infection prevention in disaster events with decompensated crisis treatment].Unfallchirurgie (Heidelberg, Germany) · 2025Review
- "O.R. GOES GREEN": a first step toward reducing our carbon footprint in the operating room and hospital.Updates in surgery · 2024Article
- Ozone Decontamination of Medical and Nonmedical Devices: An Assessment of Design and Implementation Considerations.Industrial & engineering chemistry research · 2023Review
- The hidden inequality: the disparities in the quality of daily use masks associated with family economic status.Frontiers in public health · 2023Article
- Application of Ultraviolet-C Radiation and Gaseous Ozone for Microbial Inactivation on Different Materials.ACS omega · 2022Article
- Reprocessing Zamak laryngoscope blades into new instrument parts; an 'all-in-one' experimental study.Heliyon · 2022Article
- Recycling of plastic wastes generated from COVID-19: A comprehensive illustration of type and properties of plastics with remedial options.The Science of the total environment · 2022Review
- Upcycling discarded cellulosic surgical masks into catalytically active freestanding materials.Cellulose (London, England) · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFace masks, also referred to as half masks, are essential to protect healthcare professionals working in close contact with patients with COVID-19-related symptoms. Because of the Corona material shortages, healthcare institutions sought an approach to reuse face masks or to purchase new, imported masks. The filter quality of these masks remained unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the quality of sterilized and imported FFP2/KN95 face masks.
methodsA 48-minute steam sterilization process of single-use FFP2/KN95 face masks with a 15 minute holding time at 121°C was developed, validated and implemented in the Central Sterilization Departments (CSSD) of 19 different hospitals. Masks sterilized by steam and H2O2 plasma as well as new, imported masks were tested for particle filtration efficiency (PFE) and pressure drop in a custom-made test setup.
resultsThe results of 84 masks tested on the PFE dry particle test setup showed differences of 2.3±2% (mean±SD). Test data showed that the mean PFE values of 444 sterilized FFP2 face masks from the 19 CSSDs were 90±11% (mean±SD), and those of 474 new, imported KN95/FFP2 face masks were 83±16% (mean±SD). Differences in PFE of masks received from different sterilization departments were found.
conclusionFace masks can be reprocessed with 121 °C steam or H2O2 plasma sterilization with a minimal reduction in PFE. PFE comparison between filter material of sterilized masks and new, imported masks indicates that the filter material of most reprocessed masks of high quality brands can outperform new, imported face masks of unknown brands. Although the PFE of tested face masks from different sterilization departments remained efficient, using different types of sterilization equipment, can result in different PFE outcomes.
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