Thread by @RogueVictorian

I have been asked a number of great questions! So let’s go through each point of my “Care & Feeding of an #N95 #Mask”. Bending or crumbling breaks apart the polypropylene fiber bonds, the magic fiber that filters out & traps the virus using electrostatic charge. @DrEricDing 1/12

Electrostatic charge is like a magnet for the virus. #N95 masks do not rely on layers to filter. 90% of their viral filtering ability is due to this electrostatic charge! If you damage this charge the masks become about as effective as a cloth mask. 2/12 nature.com/articles/d4158…

Washing these masks is destroying them. The agitation breaks apart the polypropylene bonds, opening up the filter, it also permanently destroys the ability for the polypropylene to maintain the electrostatic charge. If they are soiled, please dispose. 3/12

Heat is bad for plastics. Polypropylene in #N95 masks is nanospun, it’s like spider web silk. If it is heated greater than 158F it risks melting it, not worth it! Heat destroys the filter & the charge on the plastic. So air dry between uses. I hang mine up in a dry area. 4/12

Alcohol permanently removes the electrostatic charge of polypropylene. Rendering an #N95mask a cloth mask. Do not spray or wipe down the surface of your mask with anything! H2O moisture is the biggest enemy of N95 technology. It temporarily disables the electrostatic charge. 5/12

I recommend in high risk areas, like a hospital. Do the following. Have 2 masks per shift. #1 for the first half, #2 for the 2nd half of the shift, & ALWAYS carry a spare. I kept each in its own little cardboard box. You do not want to contaminate the inside of a clean mask 6/12

A box with a silicone dry packet inside does 3 things. It allows the mask to naturally begin to dry. It prevents crushing of the mask & cross contamination between masks. Depending on your ambient humidity I recommend using silicone drying packets or a dehumidifier box… 7/12

… for ⬆️ humidity areas, where masks can’t dry fully. In ⬇️ humidity areas rig a small clothes line out of the sun. UV light DAMAGES polypropylene bonds permanently. Let each mask dry for a minimum of 3 days. This will naturally deactivate the virus 8/12 servicethread.com/blog/the-uv-re…

I labeled my masks & rotated them. A minimum of 3 days between use. I would use them approximately 15-20 times each if handled carefully. Mark with a tiny dot each day. There is no definitive reuse data for N95s as each person’s mask wear is different. Use common sense. 9/12

Dr. Peter Tsai, the inventor of the N95 material is an unspoken hero! He came out of retirement to volunteer his time working on reuse solutions! Thank you. 10/12 jem-journal.com/article/S0736-…

Please make SURE your masks are legit. I use only VERIFIED 3M masks. Many Chinese imports have been shown to be counterfeit. The only supplier providing verification is @3M. I use the Aura. You have to CALL on these as the online system is not set up for them yet. 11/12

Vented masks DO NOT protect others. Keep this in mind. If needed please wear a surgical mask OVER the outside to limit aerosol spread. Wash hands BEFORE & AFTER putting a mask on or taking it off. If you have questions please ask. 12/12