04-13-2020, 02:32 AM
Best practices I've seen for disinfecting N95s is 30 minutes at 160 deg F, or 10 minutes steam treatment. Definitely do not use alcohol or bleach to clean them as it removes the static charge needed to trap particles and while microwaves can produce enough heat to disinfect, they also require you to remove essential metal fittings, can melt the mask, or start a fire.
https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2...19-PPE-1-1 (see page 5)
As for them aging, as long as they were stored properly (dark, cool place), N95s tend to loose very little filtration over the years and are still far better than most other masks. Do be sure to check their elastic straps as those tend to get brittle and be more prone for breaking. They're not as good as in their prime, but what ever is really?
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nco...d-N95.html
https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2...19-PPE-1-1 (see page 5)
As for them aging, as long as they were stored properly (dark, cool place), N95s tend to loose very little filtration over the years and are still far better than most other masks. Do be sure to check their elastic straps as those tend to get brittle and be more prone for breaking. They're not as good as in their prime, but what ever is really?
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nco...d-N95.html