Generalized Kubelka's theory for light transmission in multilayer materials and its application for UV light penetration in filtering facepiece respirators

Review Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Decontamination and reuse of surgical masks and N95 filtering facepiece respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Kachorn Seresirikachorn et al.

Summary: Based on systematic review and research, it is supported to use UV germicidal irradiation, moist heat, microwave-generated steam, and hydrogen peroxide vapor for decontamination and reuse of N95 FFRs. These methods are effective for viral and bacterial disinfection, as well as maintaining the filtration efficiency and physical structure of the FFRs.

INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY (2021)

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Review Construction & Building Technology

Recent research on expiratory particles in respiratory viral infection and control strategies: A review

Yunchen Bu et al.

Summary: This study reviews recent research on expiratory particles and flow characteristics, with a focus on different respiratory activities, to guide the reduction of viral infection risk in built environments. Airborne transmission is a significant route of viral transmission, impacted by relative humidity and temperature. Future research and control strategies are needed to better predict infection potential and enhance indoor viral infection control.

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY (2021)

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Review Environmental Sciences

The COVID-19 pandemic face mask waste: A blooming threat to the marine environment

Selvakumar Dharmaraj et al.

Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global economic downturn and indirect environmental benefits; the use of face masks has negative impacts on the environment and human health, requiring government sectors to enforce strict regulations for medical waste disposal.

CHEMOSPHERE (2021)

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Article Biochemical Research Methods

Modeling the efficiency of UV at 254 nm for disinfecting the different layers within N95 respirators

Abdallatif Satti Abdalrhman et al.

Summary: The study simulated light transport in different FFRs to evaluate UV at 254 nm for deactivating SARS-CoV-2, finding varying efficacy across different models, with discrepancies between model predictions and experimental results possibly due to virus aggregation or soiling affecting UV exposure, as well as the Monte Carlo simulations not considering near-field scattering effects.

JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

COVID lessons from the global south-Face masks invading tourist beaches and recommendations for the outdoor seasons

Martin Thiel et al.

Summary: Face masks were found on beaches across Chile, with average densities higher than in Peru but lower than in Kenya. Daily accumulation rates were significantly higher during the summer season compared to fall/winter, likely due to increased beach visitors. Recommendations include providing more PPE-related signs and waste bins, establishing stricter waste disposal regulations, and enhancing educational campaigns promoting proper use and disposal of face masks.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Review Public, Environmental & Occupational Health