Can You Reuse Surgical Masks? Single-Use Raises Environmental Concerns

Health experts advise the public to wear face masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect themselves from the droplets that people release when they cough, sneeze or talk. The most commonly used face mask these days are surgical masks, which are also used by fronltine workers.

According to Dr. Steve Pergam, MPH, medical director of infection prevention at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the droplets carry the virus from one person to another.

The World Health Organization said that surgical masks are only allowed to be used once. But during the early days of the pandemic, when supplies were not enough, they allowed the reuse of decontaminated surgical masks.

However, the cost of surgical masks goes beyond its price as many disposable face masks wind up in waterways and oceans, Science Alert reported.

Denis Corpet, a French microbiologist and member of Adios Corona, said that methods of decontaminating them like exposure to high temperatures or ultraviolet radiation are inconvenient for people at home.

Seven-Day Method: Do Viruses Disappear After Seven Days?

A group of scientists called Adios Corona, who provides information about COVID-19 to the public, recommends the public following the seven-day method. It is a method wherein surgical masks are placed inside a paper envelope with the date clearly marked and leaving it for seven days.

Corpet said that several studies had shown viruses to be almost dead on a mask after seven days. But noted that this method does not apply to healthcare workers who are exposed to COVID-19 patients.

Even the N95 mask's inventor, Peter Tsai, agrees to the seven-day method. He suggests leaving used masks in the open for seven days and may repeat this method five to ten times.

Moreover, Tsai said that disposable masks can also be placed inside the oven to sanitize at an ideal temperature of 158 and 167 degrees Fahrenheit (70 to 75 degrees Celsius). But cautioned on washing surgical masks in the washing machine.

"Washing without detergent may not wash away the virus," he said. "And washing with detergent will erase the (electrostatic) charges," diminishing its efficiency.

On the other hand, one French rights group called UFC-Que Choir said they wash surgical masks at 60 degrees Celsius, then put it in a dryer, and iron them. According to them, the washed surgical masks are still as efficient as the new ones.

Washing Surgical Masks Could Cause Secondary Contamination

Although there are scientists who advise washing surgical masks to disinfect, like researcher Philippe Vroman from Ensait, a French engineering professor who came to the same conclusion. Based on a not yet published and not yet peer-reviewed study, the effectiveness of filtration of a washed surgical mask versus the new one is the same.

However, not all of them agree. For example, the head of the biomedical engineering department at Binghamton Unversity Kaimuing Ye said that washing the mask at home could potentially cause secondary contamination and spread the virus if not washed properly.

Therefore, until more research is done then the official advice from health authorities is still to dispose of single-use surgical masks after it is worn once.