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Review
. 2020 Aug 22;17(17):6117.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17176117.

Rapid Review of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 Viability, Susceptibility to Treatment, and the Disinfection and Reuse of PPE, Particularly Filtering Facepiece Respirators

José G B Derraik  1   2   3   4 , William A Anderson  5 , Elizabeth A Connelly  6 , Yvonne C Anderson  2   3   7
Affiliations
Review

Rapid Review of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 Viability, Susceptibility to Treatment, and the Disinfection and Reuse of PPE, Particularly Filtering Facepiece Respirators

José G B Derraik et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

In the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, hospitals are often stretched beyond capacity. There are widespread reports of dwindling supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly N95-type filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), which are paramount to protect frontline medical/nursing staff, and to minimize further spread of the virus. We carried out a rapid review to summarize the existing literature on the viability of SARS-CoV-2, the efficacy of key potential disinfection procedures against the virus (specifically ultraviolet light and heat), and the impact of these procedures on FFR performance, material integrity, and/or fit. In light of the recent discovery of SARS-CoV-2 and limited associated research, our review also focused on the closely related SARS-CoV-1. We propose a possible whole-of-PPE disinfection solution for potential reuse that could be rapidly instituted in many health care settings, without significant investments in equipment.

Keywords: COVID-19; N95; SARS-CoV-1; SARS-CoV-2; UVC; coronavirus; decontamination; disinfection; filtering facepiece respirators; heat; personal protective equipment; reuse; temperature; ultraviolet light; viability.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose. The funders had no role in study design, manuscript preparation, or decision to publish.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proposed steps for a possible protocol for PPE disinfection and reuse. Dotted lines represent the path (i.e., biohazard waste) for PPE with any sign of damage or soiling.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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