The CDC on April 1 issued a guidance on how to decontaminate filtering facepiece respirators for reuse amid shortages, reports AHA News.
The agency does not recommend the reuse of respirators as a standard of care, but said the practice should be considered when shortages occur.
The CDC identified these three decontamination methods as the most promising, based on the limited data available:
- Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation
- Vaporous hydrogen peroxide
- Moist heat
Steam treatment and liquid hydrogen peroxide are two other promising methods, although some limitations exist, the agency said.
To view the full guidance, click here.