How to wash the masks? Precautions to avoid contagion

Several indications on how to wash reusable masks.

Now that in Spain there is more freedom of movement, it is necessary to take measures, since the main protection measure, social distance, is no longer guaranteed.

As sad as it may sound, staying with family and friends increases the chances of being infected by the virus. Fortunately, the widespread use of face masks helps to reduce the risk of infection, as long as they meet the proper requirements.

In the following we will learn how to wash masks, which masks can be washed, why, and the importance of good hygiene in these preventive instruments. in these preventive instruments.

How to wash the masks to disinfect them?

Right now in Spain we have areas that are in phase 1 or phase 2. There is greater freedom of movement, being able to go out for longer periods of time and do activities that until a few weeks ago were forbidden, such as going to bars or meeting family and friends.

Although it is a relief to be able to go out a little and try to lead a normal life, the truth is that there is also a greater chance of becoming infected, since there are more people on the streets and there is no longer any guarantee of respecting the main COVID-19 anti-contagion measure: the 2-meter social distance. This is especially difficult when we see family and friends.

It is for all these reasons that the use of masks has been made mandatory, with the clear intention of reducing contagion in case the social distance cannot be respected, which is almost always the case at the moment. By everyone using it, those who are unknowingly infected will be less likely to transmit the virus to others, while others will be less likely to catch it. However, not transmitting or not catching COVID-19 depends not only on whether we wear a mask or not, but also on its quality and the responsible use we make of this protection.

Masks have a useful life. Some are single-use masks and others can be cleaned several times for reuse.The quality of the materials used makes them different in terms of effectiveness. For this reason, health and risk personnel should preferably use EPI protection masks (N95, FFP2 or FFP3), while the rest of the population should be responsible towards health professionals and use surgical or hygienic masks, "more street".

Homemade face masks are highly contraindicated, since there is no guarantee that they will protect against anything and, in fact, they could contribute to contagion more easily given their high transpiration. They are neither safe nor can they be considered hygienic, in addition to entailing more risks than benefits, reasons which have led the WHO to advise against their use at all times.

Washable masks are "reusable hygienic masks".. These must indicate that they comply with the UNE 0065:2020 specification, which indicates that they can withstand at least five washing cycles. If they can withstand more than five washes, they must specify exactly how many. This means that they have demonstrated that after this number of washes, they maintain the minimum filtration and breathability required by the standard.

It is very important to understand that surgical masks or non-reusable hygienic masks, as their name suggests, are not reusable: they cannot be washed.

Ways to wash them

As we have seen, reusable hygienic masks are those that can be washed, complying with the UNE 0065:2020 specification. The Ministry of Health, Consumption and Welfare has indicated three methods with which these masks can be disinfected.

Method 1. Washing in a normal washing machine cycle.

The first method is to wash and disinfect this type of barrier protection with normal detergent and water. with normal detergent and water, at a temperature of between 60 and 90 ºC, which would correspond to a normal washing cycle.which would correspond to the normal washing machine cycle.

As it is a protection that goes on the face, a high temperature is recommended to destroy all possible pathogens. It is washed in the same way as bed linen or towels. The detergent is responsible for eliminating the coronavirus, as usual when we wash our hands with soap, eliminating its protection.

Method 2. Immersion in a solution of bleach in cold water

The second option is submerging the masks in a dilution of bleach (20 ml bleach, 980 ml water or 30 ml per liter) with warm water for 30 minutes, inactivating the coronavirus.inactivating the coronavirus by contact. Subsequently, wash with soap and water, rinsing to remove any remaining bleach.

Method 3. Use of virucides

The last option is similar to method 2, which consists of treating the mask with any virucides. treating the mask with any virucide authorized by the Ministry of Health for textile and environmental use, always following the manufacturer's instructions.always following the manufacturer's instructions.

This third option has been considered by the Ministry of Health given the exceptional nature of the health crisis and the urgency of having disinfectant products with virucidal activity for the disinfection of reusable hygienic masks.

Precautions

It is very important to take into account in these last two methods that rinse with plenty of water and/or wash with soap to remove any remaining product.. This will avoid damage to the skin due to residues of the cleaning product. Also in both cases the masks should be left to dry in the ambient air, not in the dryer.

Neither should these instruments be disinfected in the oven, microwave or steam stove.As they are sanitary instruments, they require a specific disinfectant treatment, not to be cooked as if they were pastries. Any of these methods can generate virus-carrying aerosols that can be inhaled, as well as contaminate kitchen utensils and compromise the integrity of the mask.

What is the filtration and breathability of respirators?

The differences between masks, whatever their type, are due to their filtration capacity and breathabilityThese depend directly on the materials from which they are made. Among the non-reusable masks, i.e. hygienic and surgical masks, the latter have the best degree of breathability and filtration.

Filtration

The bacterial filtration test (BFE) is a process by which it is determined how many particles of aerosol containing a bacterial inoculum of Staphylococcus aureus particles pass through the mask. These bacteria are used instead of the virus because the size of the aerosols in which both pathogens travel are similar.

In the case of surgical masks, the fabric from which they are made must retain at least 95% of the aerosols, while for hygienic masks the criterion is slightly less strict, at least 90%.while for hygienic masks the criterion is a little less strict, at least 90%.

Breathability

The breathability test determines the difference in inlet and outlet air pressure.. This is measured in units of surface pressure (Pa/cm2).

The material of surgical masks should be less than 40 Pa/cm2, while hygienic masks should be less than 60 Pa/cm2. This means that surgical masks are more breathable.

Masks are no longer useful if we are not responsible.

Although hygienic, surgical and PPE masks are designed to reduce the possibility of contagion, it is important to understand that their use is of little use if they are not used responsibly.. These instruments should not be touched, used as necklaces or beard covers, worn upside down and not cleaned or worn for longer than necessary. Although it is sometimes difficult to breathe with them, they should cover the chin, mouth and nose, especially if a distance of two meters cannot be respected.

Taking these recommendations lightly, no matter how reusable and disinfected the masks are, makes us susceptible to infection. The virus can lodge in the external part of the mask. If we constantly grope it, pull it down and touch our nostrils for a millisecond, we will be infected with COVID-19. Also It is also possible to become infected with a mask that is in poor condition, homemade or overused.. Let us be responsible and not let our guard down, for our own sake and that of others.

Bibliographic references:

• Ministry of Consumer Affairs (2020): What should you take into account when buying a mask? Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Welfare. Extaído de https://www.mscbs.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov-China/documentos/030520_GUIA_COMPRA_MASCARILLAS.pdf
• Ministry of Health (2020). Cleaning and disinfection of reusable hygienic masks. Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Welfare. Extaído de https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov-China/documentos/Limpieza_y_Desinfeccion_mascarillas_higienicas_reutilizables_pdf.pdf