@article{762c2341591045d8949412a480cf81f0,
title = "Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Decontamination of N95 Respirators, with Fit-Testing and Viral Inactivation, Demonstrates Feasibility for Reuse during the COVID-19 Pandemic",
abstract = "In response to the demand for N95 respirators by health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated decontamination of N95 respirators using an aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) system. This system is designed to dispense a consistent atomized spray of aerosolized, 7% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution over a treatment cycle. Multiple N95 respirator models were subjected to 10 or more cycles of respirator decontamination, with a select number periodically assessed for qualitative and quantitative fit testing. In parallel, we assessed the ability of aHP treatment to inactivate multiple viruses absorbed onto respirators, including phi6 bacteriophage, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For pathogens transmitted via respiratory droplets and aerosols, it is critical to address respirator safety for reuse. This study provided experimental validation of an aHP treatment process that decontaminates the respirators while maintaining N95 function. External National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) certification verified respirator structural integrity and filtration efficiency after 10 rounds of aHP treatment. Virus inactivation by aHP was comparable to the decontamination of commercial spore-based biological indicators. These data demonstrate that the aHP process is effective, with successful fit-testing of respirators after multiple aHP cycles, effective decontamination of multiple virus species, including SARS-CoV-2, successful decontamination of bacterial spores, and filtration efficiency maintained at or greater than 95%. While this study did not include extended or clinical use of N95 respirators between aHP cycles, these data provide proof of concept for aHP decontamination of N95 respirators before reuse in a crisis-capacity scenario.",
author = "Derr, {T. Hans} and James, {Melissa A.} and Kuny, {Chad V.} and Patel, {Devanshi R.} and Kandel, {Prem P.} and Cassandra Field and Beckman, {Matthew D.} and Hockett, {Kevin L.} and Bates, {Mark A.} and Sutton, {Troy C.} and Szpara, {Moriah L.}",
note = "Funding Information: This work was a largely volunteer-based effort, with support from the Pennsylvania State University and The Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment. Funding Information: We appreciate the contributions of colleagues and scientists who provided intellectual input and/or materials for this work. These include Joyce Jose, Susan Hafenstein, Anthony Schmitt, Gregory Broussard, Michael Brignati, Tim Simpson and members of the Szpara and Sutton labs. Paul Turner and his lab graciously provided phi6 bacteriophage. We appreciate the contributions and support of Jim Crandall and the Penn State Environmental Health and Safety staff, as well as Theresa Engle and other Occupational Medicine staff, who provided support in study implementation and fit-testing. We also thank Irene Miller and the Pell Lab decontamination staff, researchers, and clinical staff, as well as Neerav Goyal, Justin Soulier, and the health care providers of the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine. This work was a largely volunteer-based effort, with support from the Pennsylvania State University and The Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment. SARS-CoV-2 research in Troy Sutton{\textquoteright}s laboratory was initiated by a seed grant from The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, and Troy Sutton{\textquoteright}s research is further supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project 4605. Funding Information: SARS-CoV-2 research in Troy Sutton{\textquoteright}s laboratory was initiated by a seed grant from The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, and Troy Sutton{\textquoteright}s research is further supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project 4605. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Derr et al.",
year = "2022",
month = sep,
doi = "10.1128/msphere.00303-22",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "7",
journal = "mSphere",
issn = "2379-5042",
publisher = "American Society for Microbiology",
number = "5",
}