An alternate source of surgical masks, 3-dimentionally printed reusable masks was found to be a viable alternative. In a recent study on 3D printed masks it was seen, SARS-CoV-2 and all types of viruses tested were seen to be completely inactivated by use of bleach, generally ammonium quaternary compounds or hydrogen peroxide. Even exposure to dry heat at 70°C for 30 mins was seen to completely inactivate the viruses.
One of the major problems faced during the Covid-19 crisis had been shortage of raw materials and the deposition, since the major materials that are not properly disposed are sources of water and land pollutions. Hence the study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (Cambridge University Press) is very encouraging.
Since in the study further it has been revealed there has not been any validated method found for decontamination of N95 respirators of surgical masks, the particular 3D-printed masks can be an ecofriendly alternative to this problem.
By Sayak Nandi
Information Links: Welch, J.L. et al. 2020. Inactivation of Severe Acute respiratory Coronavirus Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Diverse RNA and DNA Viruses on Three-Dimensionally Printed Surgical Mask Materials. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 1-8. Doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.417
