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Gamma radiation found ineffective in sterilizing N95 masks

Gamma radiation found ineffective in sterilizing N95 masks

Nuclear scientists and biomedical researchers team up to investigate whether treatment with gamma radiation could make N95 masks more reusable.  MIT News, Leda Zimmerman | Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, April 10, 2020“………….“The sterilized masks lost two-thirds of their filtering efficiency, essentially turning N95 into N30 masks,” says Cramer. But why the deterioration?

“Our hypothesis is that ionizing radiation of whatever kind likely decharges the electrostatic filtration of the mask,” says Gupta. “The mechanical filtration of gauze can trap some particles, but radiation interferes with the electrostatic filter’s ability to repel or capture particles of 0.3 microns.”……” http://news.mit.edu/2020/gamma-radiation-found-ineffective-in-sterilizing-n95-masks-0410

April 11, 2020 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | health, USA