Abstract Decontamination of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) is a crisis capacity strategy allowed when there are known shortages of FFRs. The application of moist heat is one decontamination method that has shown promise and is the approach approved in the Steris Steam Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). This effort examines the use of multicookers to apply moist heat, as they are available in retail stores and more affordable than methods requiring more sophisticated equipment. Four of five multicooker models examined met the acceptance criteria for the test and one model was selected for inactivation testing. Tests were performed on four different FFR models with SARS‐CoV‐2 suspended in culture media, simulated saliva or simulated lung fluid. Moist heat treatment reduced recoverable titres of SARS‐CoV‐2 virus to levels below the limit of detection in all tests. Furthermore, these four FFR models showed no loss in collection efficiency, inhalation resistance or visual damage after up to 10 decontamination cycles. Two (2) FFR models showed a slight change in strap elasticity (<9%). These data show that moist heat treatment using a multicooker is a viable option for FFR decontamination in a crisis capacity strategy. Significance and Impact of the Study: The potential to decontaminate N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) contaminated with SARS‐CoV‐2 in culture media, simulated saliva and simulated lung fluid using moist heat in a multicooker is demonstrated. Furthermore, the FFR models tested did not show degradation of performance when subjected to at most 10 decontamination cycles. This approach represents a low‐cost and simple FFR decontamination method that could be considered for use when shortages exist during an emergency, such as the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic.
【초록키워드】 Treatment, Saliva, pandemic, equipment, Test, lung, EUA, COVID‐19, SARS‐CoV‐2, inactivation, Impact, limit of detection, decontamination, Degradation, Emergency, Efficiency, criteria, culture media, Respirator, Elasticity, These data, promise, effort, titre, SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, authorization, STRAP, approach, FIVE, Steam, shown, tested, performed, examined, approved, reduced, demonstrated, Significance, was selected, 【제목키워드】 SARS‐CoV‐2, decontamination, Respirator,