# N95 respirator hybrid decontamination method using Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) coupled with Microwave-Generated Steam (MGS)

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new hybrid method to decontaminate N95 respirators using UV light and steam, which is more effective and faster than using either method alone.

## Contribution

A novel hybrid decontamination method combining UVGI and MGS is proposed and shown to achieve faster and more effective pathogen reduction.

## Key findings

- The hybrid method achieved a 4-log pathogen reduction faster than UVGI or MGS alone.
- UVGI-only and MGS-only treatments were less efficient in reducing the pathogen load.
- The hybrid system is recommended for effective N95 respirator decontamination.

## Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has induced a critical supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) especially N95 respirators. Utilizing respirator decontamination procedures to reduce the pathogen load of a contaminated N95 respirator can be a viable solution for reuse purposes. In this study, the efficiency of a novel hybrid respirator decontamination method of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) which utilizes ultraviolet-C (UV-C) rays coupled with microwave-generated steam (MGS) against feline coronavirus (FCoV) was evaluated. The contaminated 3M 1860 respirator pieces were treated with three treatments (UVGI-only, MGS-only, and Hybrid—UVGI + MGS) with variable time. The virucidal activity was evaluated using the TCID50 method. The comparison of decontamination efficiency of the treatments indicated that the hybrid method achieved at least a pathogen log reduction of 4 logs, faster than MGS and UVGI. These data recommend that the proposed hybrid decontamination system is more effective comparatively in achieving pathogen log reduction of 4 logs.