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Disinfection of Filtering Facepiece Respirators

Disinfection of Filtering Facepiece Respirators
There are at least four key aspects of successful disinfection of respirators, and most studies do not take all four into consideration. The disinfection method must:
  •  be effective against the target organism, such as the virus that causes COVID-19;
  • not damage the respirator’s filtration;
  • not affect the respirator’s fit; and
  • be safe for the person wearing the respirator (e.g. no off-gassing of chemicals into the breathing zone).
If the filtration is damaged or the respirator does not fit, it will not help reduce exposure to airborne particles at the level indicated, such as N95, FFP2, etc.

As of March 272020, no disinfection method has met all four of these key criteria, and without all four, the method is not acceptable. 3M is now working with several major sterilization and disinfection companies and consulting with external experts to develop an effective disinfection method. 3M is working as quickly as possible and are hopeful that we will find an effective method soon.
Filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), such as those that meet the filtration efficiency requirements for classification as such as N95, FFP2, KN95, and similar, are commonly used to help provide respiratory protection in a variety of workplaces, including healthcare settings. A common infection prevention practice employed by healthcare organizations is to utilize FFRs as one-time-use items when worn in the presence of infected patients.

In the face of a global pandemic and associated FFR shortage, 3M has received numerous questions concerning potential methods to disinfect FFRs, including questions relating to studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of various disinfection methods on FFRs. In an attempt to respond to urgent requests we are receiving from customers and organizations around the world, we have prepared this bulletin to provide information concerning a few methods that have been suggested to potentially help disinfect FFRs.

Based on currently available data, 3M does not recommend or support attempts to sanitize, disinfect, or sterilize 3M FFRs.

For more information, read the full article here.

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About Bunzl Safety and Lifting

Bunzl Safety and Lifting offers an integrated approach to the selection, supply, service, and replacement of safety products, resulting in our ability to manage the complete life cycle of your personal and workplace safety requirements. Bunzl Safety and Lifting is a leading manufacturer of safety products, we provide the very best in workwear, corporate wear, PPE, footwear, materials handling, load restraint, and recovery,height safety, and site safety. We are also a leading supplier of some of the best industrial safety brands on the market, including Mack, Ninja, Contego, Boomerang, Beaver, B-Safe, WS Workwear, Frontier, Black Rat, Robertsons, 3M, Honeywell, Ansell, Bolle Safety, DuPont, Donaghys, MSA, Moldex, Steel Blue, Oliver, uvex, Sqwincher, MaxiFlex, DNC Workwear, Mayo Hardware, Gunnebo Industries, Skylotech and Blundstone. We also offer a range of services including product specialisation and consolidation, custom embroidery and branding, lifting equipment and inspections, NATA Accredited testing and services, height safety installed systems and training, managed inventory, eCommerce and digital solutions, clothing fitouts and yearly uniform issues, ethical sourcing, Indigenous Engagement, and environmental responsibility. We have an Australia-wide network of branches that ensures fast shipping across the country.

Bunzl Brands & Operations Pty Ltd (BBO) located at 55 Sarah Andrews Close Erskine Park NSW 2579 quality scope covers: manufacturing, importing, wholesaling, repairing and testing of lifting, rigging equipment, winches, hoists and materials handling products. The manufacture of synthetic slings and webbing products including load restraint and height safety equipment. Manufacture, import, wholesale and distribution of PPE products, workwear and hand tools. Design and development of products and services and the provision of mechanical testing services.