Open AccessReusing and/or reprocessing the N95 face respirator mask or equivalent: An integrative review
Author(s) -
Elucir Gir,
Mayra Gonçalves Menegüeti,
Laelson Rochelle Milanês Sousa,
Natália Maria Vieira Pereira-Caldeira,
Milton Jorge de Carvalho,
Renata Karina Reis
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
revista latino-americana de enfermagem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.387
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1518-8345
pISSN - 0104-1169
DOI - 10.1590/1518-8345.5135.3492
Subject(s) - respirator , reuse , sodium hypochlorite , sodium bicarbonate , waste management , environmental science , medicine , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Objective: to analyze the scientific evidence available on the different reprocessing methods and the necessary conditions for reuse of the N95 face respirator mask or equivalent. Method: an integrative literature review. The PICO strategy was used to elaborate the question. The search was conducted in four databases: PubMed, SciVerse Scopus, WebofScience and EMBASE, considering any period of time. Results: a total of 32 studies were included from the 561 studies identified, and they were presented in two categories: “Conditions for reuse” and “Reprocessing the masks”. Of the evaluated research studies, seven(21.8%) addressed the reuse of the N95 face respirator mask or equivalent and 25(78.1%) evaluated different reprocessing methods, namely: ultraviolet germicidal irradiation(14); hydrogen peroxide(8); vapor methods(14); using dry heat(5) and chemical methods(sodium hypochlorite[ 6 ], ethanol[ 4 ] and sodium chloride with sodium bicarbonate and dimethyldioxirane[ 1 ]). We emphasize that different methods were used in one same article. Conclusion: no evidence was found to support safe reprocessing of face respirator masks. In addition, reuse is contraindicated due to the risk of self-contamination and inadequate sealing.