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How can we disinfect and reuse masks?
Hong Kong scientists are examining disinfecting masks for reuse in response to a global shortage of protective gear in the COVID-19 crisis.
In an online dialogue session organised by HKU on Thursday, Prof. Yuen Kwok-yung of the Department of Microbiology, explained recent experiments on disinfecting N95 respirators and standard surgical masks:
- N95 respirators could be disinfected with hydrogen peroxide vapour and be reused. But the masks should be labelled and reused by the same person.
- The disinfection and reuse of N95 respirators is intended for public hospitals.
- Surgical masks, which were worn by the majority of people in the city, could be disinfected with ozonisers, devices to kill germs with ozone.
- Prof. Yuen himself wears a reusable cloth mask underneath a surgical mask in order to make each mask last longer. He disinfects the surgical mask with an ozoniser after use