Assessing changes to N95 respirator filtration efficiency, qualitative and quantitative fit, and seal check with repeated vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) decontamination

Am J Infect Control. 2022 Feb;50(2):217-219. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.11.005. Epub 2022 Jan 6.

Abstract

N95 respirators were reprocessed using vaporized hydrogen peroxide to supplement limited supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we found no statistically significant differences in qualitative and quantitative fit or filtration efficiency with reprocessing. Filtration efficiency remained above 95% even at 25 cycles of reprocessing without statistically significant change from cycle 20-25 compared to cycle 0 (P = .10, P = .05, respectively). Vaporous hydrogen peroxide is an effective option to augment N95 respirator supplies.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Decontamination
  • Equipment Reuse
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide*
  • N95 Respirators
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Hydrogen Peroxide