Masks-Respirator Cleaning & Disinfecting

Cut & Paste allowed because this is a gov't agency



Respirator Cleaning Procedures (Mandatory)
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134AppB2

These procedures are provided for employer use when cleaning respirators. They are general in nature, and the employer as an alternative may use the cleaning recommendations provided by the manufacturer of the respirators used by their employees, provided such procedures are as effective as those listed here in Appendix B- 2. Equivalent effectiveness simply means that the procedures used must accomplish the objectives set forth in Appendix B-2, i.e., must ensure that the respirator is properly cleaned and disinfected in a manner that prevents damage to the respirator and does not cause harm to the user.  

I. Procedures for Cleaning Respirators

A. Remove filters, cartridges, or canisters. Disassemble facepieces by removing speaking diaphragms, demand and pressure- demand valve assemblies, hoses, or any components recommended by the manufacturer. Discard or repair any defective parts.

B. Wash components in warm (43 deg. C [110 deg. F] maximum) water with a mild detergent or with a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. A stiff bristle (not wire) brush may be used to facilitate the removal of dirt.

C. Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43 deg. C [110 deg. F] maximum), preferably running water. Drain.

D. When the cleaner used does not contain a disinfecting agent, respirator components should be immersed for two minutes in one of the following:

1. Hypochlorite solution (50 ppm of chlorine) made by adding approximately one milliliter of laundry bleach to one liter of water at 43 deg. C (110 deg. F); or,

2. Aqueous solution of iodine (50 ppm iodine) made by adding approximately 0.8 milliliters of tincture of iodine (6-8 grams ammonium and/or potassium iodide/100 cc of 45% alcohol) to one liter of water at 43 deg. C (110 deg. F); or,

3. Other commercially available cleansers of equivalent disinfectant quality when used as directed, if their use is recommended or approved by the respirator manufacturer.

E. Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43 deg. C [110 deg. F] maximum), preferably running water. Drain. The importance of thorough rinsing cannot be overemphasized. Detergents or disinfectants that dry on facepieces may result in dermatitis. In addition, some disinfectants may cause deterioration of rubber or corrosion of metal parts if not completely removed.

F. Components should be hand-dried with a clean lint-free cloth or air-dried.

G. Reassemble facepiece, replacing filters, cartridges, and canisters where necessary.

H. Test the respirator to ensure that all components work properly.

[63 FR 1152, Jan. 8, 1998]

Maintenance and Care of Respirators
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnF05owDxTI

The manufacturer’s guidance for cleaning and sanitizing a respirator should always be followed and is included with the packaging of all products. If you do not have access to that copy, check the manufacturer’s website. If still not accessible, general cleaning and sanitizing guidanceExternal is provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA also has videos regarding maintenance and care of respiratorsExternal.

This is a long post, from the CDC, back in 2006, when there was a lot of info for 'Pandemic Flu' on the web. The link is no longer working and I can't find an update. I'm posting anyway, because I think the info would still be helpful in a SHTF scenario:

Masks: Respirator Cleaning & Disinfecting, by NIOSH
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/respcln.html

Suggested Respirator Cleaning and Disinfecting Proceedures

Decide the procedures needed based on how respirators are being used
Option 1:
Cleaning for Single users: the same person uses the same respirator all the time. NOTE: this option should not be used if respirators are not marked with user names.

• Use Procedure 1 for basic cleaning of single user respirators.
  
• If desired or required, add Procedure 2 to sanitize single user respirators after cleaning.

Option 2:
Cleaning for Multiple users: different persons will be sharing respirators.

• Use Procedure 1 for basic cleaning of single user respirators.
  

Note that Procedure 3 is equal to combining procedures 1 and 2.

Gather equipment and supplies

Procedure 1

• 2 buckets
  
• Warm water
  
• Thermometer
  
• Alcohol free wipes and or soft brush and sponge
  
• Neutral detergent - no lanolins or oils - (most dish detergents will work)
  
• Table or work surface

Procedure 2

• 2 buckets
  
• Warm water
  
• Thermometer
  
• Metric graduated cylinder for measuring small quantities
  
• Quaternary ammonia disinfectant OR hypochlorite (household bleach) OR iodine solution OR other commercially available cleansers of disinfectant quality that are recommended by the respirator manufacturer
  
• Table or work surface

Procedure 3

• 4 buckets and the materials listed above for procedure 1 and 2.

Description of Procedures

Procedure 1
Generic Single User Cleaning Procedure (the same person uses the same respirator all the time). Cleaning can be done as often as required. Atmosphere supplying and emergency use respirators should be cleaned and sanitized after each use. THE RESPIRATOR MUST BE CLEANED AND SANITIZED BEFORE IT CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL.

• Prepare 2 buckets (2 gal/7.5 L) of fresh warm water; follow sequence of use as described below.
  
• Do not use boiling or hot water. Water Temperature should be less than 110 F.
  
• Disassemble respirator, removing cartridges and/or filters and any external accessories such as communications, hoods, head harness (if possible) and eye lens outserts. Do not remove the valves because they are easy to lose.
  
• Bucket 1. Clean respirator and associated parts (excluding cartridges and/or filters) with alcohol free wipes, or by immersing in a warm water cleaning solution, scrubbing with a soft brush or sponge. Do not brush eye lenses. Use a neutral detergent cleaning solution that does not contain lanolin or oils.
  
• Bucket 2. Rinse in fresh, warm water. Running water is better than immersion if available. Thorough rinsing is important to keep detergents or disinfectants from drying on the respirator. [See OSHA 29CFR1910.134, Appendix B-2, running water for rinsing (if available) is preferred over immersion.]
  
• Replace cleaning solution and rinse water after approximately 20 respirators have been cleaned, or as needed.
  
• Allow the respirator to air dry in a non-contaminated environment. Do not dry with heaters or in sunlight. Respirators can be reassembled before or after drying.
  
• Prior to re-use, conduct checks as recommended by the manufacturer's manual to assure that the system is ready to be placed in operation. It is very important to check that the inhalation and exhalation valves are in place prior to use.

Procedure 2
IF Sanitization is desired or required:

• Clean respirator as described above. The final air drying step is not necessary.
  
• Prepare 2 buckets (2 gal/7.5L) of fresh warm water; follow sequence of use as described below.
  
• Do not use boiling or hot water. Water Temperature should be less than 110 F.
  
• Bucket 1. Disinfect respirator by immersing in a disinfectant water solution. A quaternary ammonia disinfectant (one packet per 2 gallons or per manufacturer's recommendation), or a hypochlorite (1 oz [30milliliters] household bleach in 2 gal [7.5 L] water) solution, or an aqueous solution of iodine (50ppm of iodine, made by adding 0.8 milliliters of tincture of iodine to one liter of water at 110 F) can be used.
  
• Bucket 2. Rinse in fresh, warm water. Thorough rinsing is important to keep detergents or disinfectants from drying on the respirator.
  
• Replace sanitizing solution and rinse water after approximately 20 respirators have been sanitized, or as needed.
  
• Allow the respirator to air dry in a non-contaminated environment. Do not dry with heaters or in sunlight
  
• Prior to re-use, conduct checks as recommended by the manufacturer's manual to assure that the system is ready to be placed in operation It is very important to check that the inhalation and exhalation valves are in place prior to use.

Procedure 3
Respirator Cleaning and Sanitization Procedures
Generic Multiple User Cleaning and Sanitizing Procedure (different people use the same respirator). Atmosphere supplying and emergency use respirators should be cleaned and sanitized after each use. THE RESPIRATOR MUST BE CLEANED AND SANITIZED BEFORE IT CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL.

• Prepare 4 buckets (2 gal/7.5 L) of fresh warm water; follow sequence of use as described below.
  
• Do not use boiling or hot water. Water Temperature should be less than 110 F.
  
• Disassemble respirator, removing cartridges and/or filters and any external accessories such as communications, hoods, head harness (if possible) and eye lens outserts Do not remove the valves because they are easy to lose.
  
• Bucket 1. Clean respirator (excluding cartridges and/or filters) with alcohol free wipes, or by immersing in a warm water cleaning solution, scrubbing with a soft brush or sponge. Do not brush eye lenses. Use a neutral detergent cleaning solution that does not contain lanolin or oils.
  
• Bucket 2. Rinse in fresh, warm water. Running water is better than immersion if available. Thorough rinsing is important to keep detergents or disinfectants from drying on the respirator. [See OSHA 29CFR1910.134, Appendix B-2, running water for rinsing (if available) is preferred over immersion.]
  
• Bucket 3. Disinfect respirator by immersing in a disinfectant water solution. A quaternary ammonia disinfectant (one packet per 2 gallons or per manufacturer's recommendation), a hypochlorite (1 oz [30ml] household bleach in 2 gal [7.5 L] water) solution, or an aqueous solution of iodine (50ppm of iodine, made by adding 0.8 ml of tincture of iodine to one liter of water at 110 F) can be used.
  
• Other commercially available cleansers of equivalent disinfectant quality when used as directed can be used, if their use is recommended or approved by the respirator manufacturer [See 29 CFR910.134, Appendix B-2, Para I, D.3.]
  
• Bucket 4. Rinse in fresh, warm water. Running water is better than immersion if available. Thorough rinsing is important to keep detergents or disinfectants from drying on the respirator. [See OSHA 29CFR1910.134, Appendix B-2, running water for rinsing (if available) is preferred over immersion.]
  
• Replace cleaning solution, sanitizing solution, and rinse water after approximately 20 respirators have been sanitized, or as needed.
  
• Allow the respirator to air dry in a non-contaminated environment. Do not dry with heaters or in sunlight Respirators can be reassembled before or after drying.
  
• Prior to re-use, conduct checks as recommended by the manufacturer's manual to assure that the system is ready to be placed in operation It is very important to check that the inhalation and exhalation valves are in place prior to use.

General notes

• The process should always include these steps:
  Cleaning  Sanitizing  Rinsing  Drying  Reassembly  Inspection Prior to Use
  
• Respirators can be divided up into batches of 20, as water and cleaning fluids will be changed after 20 respirators are cleaned.
  
• It is better to disassemble and clean one respirator at a time. Group respirators together by manufacturer if more than one will be disassembled at a time to avoid getting parts confused.
  
• Different respirator manufacturers market different cleaning and sanitizing solutions. Contact them for details regarding these products.
  
• Quaternary ammonia is a disinfectant that contains ammonia (NH4) with additional surfactant (detergent) action. It is used as a disinfectant with cattle producers and animal health workers. It has a wide germicidal range, is non-corrosive, and is considered very effective for sanitizing cleaned surfaces.
  
• Other non-alkaline biodegradable disinfectants have been tested and are recommended by leading respirator manufacturers that are effective against HIV-1 (AIDS virus).

September 2001

[size=150]! [/size]This procedure is NOT for cloth based N95 or N100 respirators!

Its for hard plastic "gas mask" type respirators, the kind with replaceable cartridges that do the filtering.
N95 and N100 like the folded or molded type will be ruined by this process, and even if they held togehter, the internal baffles that capture airborne particles will be affected and the mask will not filter like its supposed to.

Source: Posted by LMonty,Pandemic Flu Information Forum,  http://www.singtomeohmuse.com/viewtopic.php?p=933#933